25 September 2026

SUMMARY: The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) is devastated upon hearing the news that a fourth mineworker was killed at Sibanye-Stillwater operations in 2026 and it brings the national mining fatality toll to 52. The Union repeats its clarion call for better enforcement and highlights the glaring malpractices when it comes to disparity between practices at mines themselves compared to those at subcontracting companies operating at mines, as raised during the recent 2026 Mine Health and Safety Tripartite Summit held in Ekurhuleni.

AMCU has received a report that a mineworker was killed at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Beatrix Gold Mine in the Free State. This is the fourth reported fatality across Sibanye-Stillwater’s operations in 2026 and brings the national mining fatality toll to 52. 

According to preliminary information, a Winch Operator, who was directly employed by Sibanye-Stillwater, was found unresponsive, lying on top of a Winch Barricade with a severe head injury at approximately 03:08 on 21 September 2026. 

At this stage, the circumstances and cause of the incident remain unclear. AMCU awaits the outcome of the investigation, which must establish the cause of the incident and identify all underlying and contributing factors. 

AMCU extends its condolences to the deceased mineworker’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. 

“The national mining fatality toll has now reached 52. These are not merely numbers. Each death represents a mineworker who did not return home and a family left devastated. The continued occurrence of known and foreseeable hazards shows that the industry is failing to learn from repeatable accidents. Where failures are identified, those responsible must be held personally accountable”, said AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa. 

At the 2026 Mine Health and Safety Tripartite Summit, AMCU raised its concern regarding the outsourcing of core mining functions. The Union maintains that core mining work should be performed by directly employed mineworkers. Contractors should be used only for genuinely specialised work requiring expertise that is not reasonably available within the mine’s permanent workforce, and not as a means of replacing permanent employment. 

“The continued outsourcing of core mining work can create gaps in accountability, supervision, training, experience, and health and safety standards. Core work must be performed by directly employed mineworkers. The Mine Health and Safety Act must be amended to strengthen enforcement and hold mine bosses personally accountable when their failures expose mineworkers to preventable harm. The lives and safety of mineworkers must always be placed above production and profit”, Mathunjwa emphasised. 

AMCU expects the employer and the relevant authorities to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation, establish the facts and causes surrounding the incident, and ensure that appropriate corrective measures are implemented to prevent a recurrence. 

“A mineworker went to work but did not return home. This can never be accepted as the normal cost of doing business in the mining industry”, Mathunjwa concluded. 

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