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The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) strongly condemns gold miner Sibanye Stillwater on the death last night of one mineworker at Driefontein Mine.

The miner died at Driefontein No.1 Shaft as he was busy trying to blast the ore pass box that was blocked by big rocks. When the rock crushed he was then pushed by Mudrush that suffocated him to death.

“We are very much concerned about the loss of lives happening at Sibanye Stillwater," said Mbuyiseli Hibana, NUM Carletonville Regional Secretary. said. “The company must be made to account on all of these incidents and those found responsible must be made to take the blame," Hibana added.

We are very disappointed on the trend of incidents and accidents at Sibanye Stillwater. There was a near miss of disaster where about 1000 workers were trapped underground as a result of power failure two weeks ago at Beatrix Mine in Welkom.

Less than a week again two workers died as a result of fall of rocks at Kloof Mine. Sibanye Stillwater and all other mining houses must prioritize health and safety of workers not profits.

"We call on the Department of Mineral Resources to take drastic measures against the company. The fatalities that are happening at Sibanye Stillwater are a sign of serious lack of care for black mineworkers especially when there is lip service from the industry that says one life is a life too many. The NUM appeals to the DMR to do a thorough investigation into the allegations of negligence and to take appropriate action," said Peter Bailey, NUM Health and Safety Chairperson.

The NUM is angry at the rate in which miners lose their lives at Sibanye Stillwater. The NUM calls for the prosecution of Sibanye Stillwater top management should negligence be proven.

Issued by NUM