13 March 2025
MEDIA RELEASE
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) is outraged and deeply angered by the senseless death of yet another mineworker at Sibanye Gold’s Driefontein Mine in Carletonville on the West Rand.
On the 12 March 2025 At approximately 12:27 at Driefontein Hlanganani Shaft, a loco was tramming towards the 48 level west internal tip, the loco abruptly came to the stop, after a while a loco guard went to investigate and found that the loco drove into a backfill pipe. The pipe pushed against the screen of the loco cab, pinning the driver inside the loco cab and was declared deceased underground.
This marks the 12th fatality reported in the mining sector this year, a stark increase from the 5 fatalities recorded during the same period last year. Despite the industry’s self-congratulatory reports of a 24% reduction in fatalities in 2024, with 42 deaths compared to 55 in 2023, these numbers are cold comfort to the families and communities who continue to lose their loved ones to corporate negligence.
“Our sincere condolences go out to the family and loved ones of our fallen comrade,” said AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa “We pray for their strength and comfort during this difficult time”, he said.
Transportation and mining are still one of the agencies that caused lot of injuries, this year 44 injuries are because of transportation and mining, and 39 fall of ground injuries registered as per SAMRAS report of 10 March 2025.
We will never abandon our member’s mandate of calling for the review of the Mine Health and Safety Act and for the prosecution of those who hinder, opposes, obstruct, or unduly influence those who want to comply to safety laws and standards.
We will continue impel those who contravene or fail to comply with the provisions of the Mine Health and Safety Act to be criminally liable.
“We remind all mineworkers of their rights in terms of section 23 of the Mine Health and Safety Act, whereby they can refuse to work in dangerous conditions” AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa concluded.
*ENDS*
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For more information or media interviews, contact AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa.