Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
Wednesday, 4 February 1998 Pretoria
The Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) will resume its inquest inquiry in the Deelkraal mining accident. Honourable Mr. Justice R.N Leon will chair the meeting on Tuesday, 10 February 1998 at 10:00, concerning the inquest inquiry of the Deelkraal GM Co. Ltd. The meeting will be held at the Arbitration House, 4 Protea Place, Sandown. Persons who have an interest in the Inquest Inquiry may contact Mr J E Kotze (see enquiries).
The National Union of Mine Workers' will be represented by Adv. P. Jimmy and the Employers and the Department will be represented by Mr. W le Roux and Adv. H. de Vos respectively. Adv. S Erasmus has been appointed the State Prosecutor for this case. The assessors to the inquest are Prof. M. U. Ozbay (University of the Witwatersrand) and Mr. G. F. du Toit (DME).
The Deelkraal Gold Mining disaster of Wednesday, 7 May 1997 resulted in the death of 10 people and 23 injured. The rock burst occurred at 12:04 and caused severe damage in a stope, affecting seven panels. The accident occurred at the depth of 2666 metres, the working places being sections of a longwall of 350 metres in length.
The mine is situated in the Potchefstroom magisterial district about 90 km west of Johannesburg.
ENQUIRIES: Mr. J. E. Kotze Secretary to the Inquest Inquiry Tel: (011) 3394414 Fax: (011) 3391858 Cell: 082 449 5827