Implats to conduct independent probe into deadly accident
Impala Holdings Limited has received the in loco inspection report from the department of minerals and energy following the accident at its Rustenburg operations that claimed 13 lives.
More than 70 injured last month when the elevator bringing miners up to the surface from 11 shaft malfunctioned, sending the lift plummeting to the ground.
At the time the incident, Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted, which will be followed by an inquiry into the accident.
In a statement, Implats says it received the report from the in loco inspection on Wednesday, 13 December 2023, which directs to commission an independent investigation into the accident to determine its cause.
“The DMRE report contains specific instructions related to the 11 shaft winder accident in terms of section 54(1)a of the mine health and safety act, some of which are in the process of being implemented, with other recommendations to implemented at a later stage, as appropriate.
“Finalisation of this phase of the investigation and inquiry process now allows Implats access to the affected infrastructure, under direction from the DMRE, to initiate the independent investigation and the required remedial work.”
The mining company says the probe will be supported by several third-party specialists and will be done in collaboration with the original manufacturer of the affected conveyance equipment.
The 11 shaft complex will remain decommissioned during this process.
Meanwhile, the mine says all 43 injured mineworkers have been discharged from hospital while those previously in ICU have been moved to normal care.
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