Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe says a report on safety issues at Sibanye Stillwater Gold Mines is being compiled as the company has recorded the highest number of deaths this year.
The Minister was briefing the media in Pretoria on the publication of the Draft Mining Charter, which was released on Friday for public comment.
Mantashe says that although the consultations with stakeholders and mining communities went well, it is concerning that Sibanye Stillwater records such a high number of fatalities at its operations and appropriate action must be taken.
“The acting chief inspector is compiling a report on all accidents that occurred at Sibanye Stillwater operations since the beginning of the year. This will enable us to take an appropriate action guided by the Mine Health and Safety Act as opposed to knee jerk reactions.”
The Minister adds: “It can’t work that way, we are guided by the Act and we will take action but it will be within the framework of the law. We are waiting for that report. We are very worried about the fact that out of 45 fatalities thus far, 20 are from one company, Sibanye Stillwater. That worries us a great deal.”
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