5 November 2026

SUMMARY: The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) has received a report that a mineworker was killed in a cement inundation at Gold One. The Union demands a thorough investigation to establish how the incident occurred, whether the hazards associated were properly identified and controlled, and who must be held accountable.

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) has received a report that a 48-year-old General Assistant was killed in a cement inundation at Gold One’s Cons Modder Gedex Operations, 7 Incline Shaft, West 2 Pillar Section, in Gauteng Province on Monday, 2 November 2026. 

The deceased mineworker was a South African citizen originally from the Eastern Cape. 

“We extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased mineworker. May God grant them strength and comfort during this difficult time”, said AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa. 

According to preliminary information received by the Union, the incident occurred at approximately 14:01 while the General Assistant was involved in pumping grout pack cement. After the pumping activity had been completed, the mineworker was reportedly struck and engulfed by grout pack cement and was killed. 

“A thorough investigation must establish precisely how this incident occurred, whether all the necessary safety measures and procedures were implemented, and whether the risks associated with handling and pumping grout pack cement were properly identified and controlled. Any safety deficiencies identified must be addressed urgently to prevent a recurrence”, said Mathunjwa. 

This type of investigation should establish the pumping rate and pressure, whether the grout pack was filled beyond its designed capacity, whether it ruptured under pressure, and whether it was correctly positioned and secured between the Hanging Wall and Footwall before pumping commenced. 

“The employer cannot respond to a fatality by shifting responsibility downwards onto the mineworkers who were exposed to the danger. Management must account for the design of the task, the equipment used, the pumping procedure, the supervision provided, and the controls implemented”, Mathunjwa said. 

Section 5(1) of the Mine Health and Safety Act requires every employer, as far as reasonably practicable, to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of employees. Section 2(1)(b) further requires the employer to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that the mine is operated and maintained in such a way that employees can perform their work without endangering their own Health and Safety or that of any other person. 

“The investigation must check whether a Planned Task Observation was conducted while the grout pack cement was being pumped and also if the task was performed according to the relevant risk assessment, procedure, and standard”, Mathunjwa added. 

“Repeated fatalities demonstrate that the current system is failing to hold those responsible for mineworkers’ safety personally accountable, when safety standards are neglected or ignored”, Mathunjwa pointed out. “We will not retreat from our call for the Mine Health and Safety Act to be amended. Mine managers and mining bosses must be held personally accountable where negligence or failures in their statutory duties contribute to the injury or death of mineworkers. Mineworkers cannot continue paying with their lives while those entrusted with protecting them escape accountability”, Mathunjwa concluded. 

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