Mining safety summit to be held in September
The Department of Mineral Resources has decided to fast-track its summit on health and safety following the recent upsurge in mining fatalities.
The summit was scheduled for November but the Minister Gwede Mantashe has now moved it to September.
Mantashe's spokesperson, Nathi Shabangu, says this will allow the sector to try and find solutions to the spate of fatalities.
Mantashe paid a visit to the Palaborwa Copper Mine on Tuesday day following the death of six mineworkers who were trapped underground at the mine when a fire broke out.
Shabangu says Mantashe met mine's managers and an inquiry will be opened into the death of the miners.
"The real purpose of the visit today, was for the minister to meet with management and find out what happened," says Shabangu.
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