Colleagues and loved ones are reeling from an underground worker’s death.
An operator became the fourth workplace fatality this financial year at Harmony Gold Mining Company’s Tshepong North Mine, 307km southwest of Pretoria.
The proponent expressed its “deepest” sympathies and condolences to the late employee’s family, friends and colleagues after the “rigging-related incident” occurred on the morning of 7 March 2023.
“This loss of life is a tragedy for Harmony and indeed the mining industry at large. Having celebrated the safe start to the calendar year, these incidents remind us that we cannot ever be complacent and that workplace safety is non-negotiable,” Harmony chief executive officer Peter Steenkamp said in a public statement.
A “comprehensive” internal investigation is underway, local authorities have been informed, and affected employees were offered assistance.
The same company recorded 13 deaths in the previous financial year according to Reuters.