09 September 2025
MEDIA RELEASE
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) is deeply saddened to report yet another fatality at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Driefontein Operations, Khomanani Shaft, in Carletonville, Gauteng Province.
The now deceased, a Shift boss, sustained injuries in a fall-of-ground accident that occurred on 28 August 2025. The incident took place during cleaning operations when three seismic events struck the area, causing a fall of ground. Despite intensive medical care at a private hospital, employee succumbed to his injuries and passed away on 6 September 2025.
“Our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the employee who lost his life,” said AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa.
This accident brings the total number of fatalities in the South African Mining Industry to 34 so far in 2025, compared to 27 in the same period last year. Within Sibanye-Stillwater South Africa, five mineworkers have died — four in gold operations, and one in platinum. These rising figures are a grim reminder that the safety of mineworkers remains a major crisis in South Africa’s mining industry.
AMCU strongly condemns the persistent prioritisation of profits over human lives. With gold prices at or near historic highs, mining houses continue to push production targets at all costs, often at the expense of worker safety.
“It is deeply disturbing that in times of record profits, we still bury workers under rocks. Mining bosses are quick to boast about shareholder returns, but silent when a worker loses his life underground,” Mathunjwa said.
Too often, employers treat safety compliance as a cost rather than a moral and legal obligation. This mindset is particularly evident in the gold mining sector, where the rush to capitalize on high commodity prices has led to cost-cutting measures and increased risk. Since January 2025 the Gold Sector has reported 404 Reportable Injuries.
“As AMCU, we have consistently made a clarion call for the amendment of health and safety legislation, to ensure that mine bosses are held criminally and financially accountable for preventable accidents,” Mathunjwa continued.
AMCU demands:
- Urgent legislative reform to criminalise employer negligence.
- Increased enforcement of health and safety standards by the Department of Mineral Petroleum and Resources (DMPR).
- Transparent, independent investigations into all mine-related fatalities.
AMCU will participate fully in the investigation of this incident to uncover both immediate and systemic failures, and to ensure that justice is served.
*ENDS*
437 words excluding summary, heading and other text
For more information or media interviews, contact AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa.