6 August 2026

SUMMARY: The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) is outraged and devastated by a sulphur dioxide (SO₂) gas exposure incident at Impala Platinum’s Mineral Processing Plant in Rustenburg. The incident killed a 45-year-old plant cleaner and left seven (7) other employees requiring medical attention. AMCU has described the tragedy as another preventable workplace disaster and has called for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances that led to the gas release. The Union also repeated its clarion call for legislative reform to hold mining bosses accountable for the repeated killing of mineworkers.

AMCU has learnt with profound shock and outrage of a fatal gas inhalation incident at Impala Platinum’s Mineral Processing Plant in Rustenburg, North West. 

According to preliminary information, at approximately 07:00 on 5 August 2026, elevated sulphur dioxide (SO₂) levels were detected after the failure of a valve at the sulphuric acid plant, resulting in the uncontrolled release of toxic gas into the atmosphere. Eight employees were reportedly exposed to the gas. 

According to initial reports, the employee, a 45-year-old male plant cleaner experienced distress near the entrance clock gates while making his way towards the change house. He subsequently collapsed near the on-site clinic, where emergency medical personnel immediately initiated life-saving treatment. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to the effects of the exposure and was declared dead shortly thereafter. The deceased was from the local area. The remaining seven (7) affected employees were transported for medical assessment and treatment. 

AMCU’s national and regional Health and Safety structures are on site to form part of the in loco investigation and visit the affected employees. 

“Our heartfelt condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of our fallen comrade. We also wish those receiving medical treatment a full and speedy recovery. No family should receive the devastating news that their loved one was killed simply because they went to work”, said AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa. 

“We are heartbroken, devastated and frankly speechless. Our members are going to work expecting to return home safely to their families, yet we continue to witness preventable incidents that claim lives. Mines and processing plants cannot continue to operate as slaughterhouses instead of safe workplaces. This is another killing of a mineworker that raises serious questions about the effectiveness of risk management, maintenance practices, and emergency preparedness at these operations”, said Mathunjwa. 

Sulphur dioxide is known to be an acutely toxic gas capable of causing severe respiratory injury and death, making effective prevention systems non-negotiable. The release demonstrates the potentially catastrophic consequences of equipment failure where hazardous chemicals are handled. 

AMCU has repeatedly called for the urgent review and amendment of the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) to strengthen accountability for those who bear legal responsibility for mine safety, including mine management, responsible engineers and, where applicable, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) whose safety-critical equipment or systems may have failed to perform as intended. 

“The law must have real consequences for those whose negligence, poor maintenance or failure to implement effective safety controls results in the death of a worker. Until the people who make these decisions are held personally and criminally accountable, preventable workplace disasters will continue and mineworkers will continue to pay with their lives”, said Mathunjwa. 

This comes just a week after the Safety Shutdown of all Impala operations called for by AMCU, and the memorandum of demands handed over to management. AMCU has now again demanded that Impala Platinum immediately account for the circumstances surrounding the incident and demonstrate whether the following critical controls were fully implemented and operational: 

• Continuous real-time sulphur dioxide monitoring systems with automatic alarms and emergency shutdown capabilities; 
• Effective engineering controls, including properly maintained scrubber systems capable of neutralising hazardous emissions; 
• Comprehensive preventative maintenance and inspection programmes covering valves, pipelines, storage vessels, and associated equipment; 
• Adequate mechanical ventilation systems to prevent the accumulation of toxic gases; 
• Effective emergency evacuation procedures, worker training, and emergency response protocols; and 
• A full review of the plant’s process safety management systems to identify and eliminate systemic failures. 

AMCU further called on the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate to leave no stone unturned in its investigation and to hold every responsible party accountable should negligence or failures in legal compliance be established. 

“We repeat again that every mining and processing employer has a legal and moral duty to identify hazards and assess the associated risks, implement effective engineering controls, maintain critical safety systems, and ensure that workers are never exposed to life-threatening substances”, Mathunjwa concluded. 

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For more information or media interviews, contact AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa.