11 September 2026
SUMMARY: The South African Mining Industry has recorded 48 fatalities year to date, amid a severe spike in fatalities among contract workers, with 21 recorded compared with five. A 62-year-old Winch Operator from the Eastern Cape was killed in a Fall of Ground (FOG) incident while cleaning a diagonal gully at Impala 1 Shaft. The incident marks the 9th fatality at Impala Platinum in 2026, placing Impala level with Harmony Gold, which also recorded its 9th fatality on 6 September 2026 following a seismic event measuring 0.5 in magnitude.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) notes with grave concern the alarming rise in workplace fatalities among contract workers within the South African Mining Industry (SAMI). Year to date, 21 contract workers have lost their lives while on duty. This represents a staggering increase compared with the five contract-worker fatalities recorded during the same period last year.
AMCU received a preliminary report indicating that, at approximately 10:15 on 10 September 2026, a Shift Boss contacted the Control Room reporting that an employee had become trapped and was unresponsive following a Fall of Ground incident.
Preliminary information further indicates that the employee, a 62-year-old Winch Operator originally from the Eastern Cape Province, was cleaning a diagonal gully when the Fall of Ground occurred and trapped him. Emergency response procedures were immediately activated. The Paramedic and Proto Teams were mobilised, and an Emergency Control Room was established to coordinate the rescue operation. Tragically, it was later confirmed that the Winch Operator was killed in the incident.
The circumstances and underlying causes of the incident remain subject to a formal investigation. AMCU has learned that the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate (MHSI) has already commenced its investigation.
“This latest tragedy marks the ninth fatality at Impala Platinum in 2026. Impala and Harmony Gold have now jointly recorded the highest number of fatalities in the industry. The Harmony Gold incident followed a seismic event measuring 0.5 in magnitude that caused a face ejection and subsequent Fall of Ground, resulting in one injury and one death”, said AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa.
“We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the deceased workers. The Union continues to demand stricter adherence to safety protocols and calls for urgent accountability from mining houses to prevent further loss of life”, Mathunjwa said.
This brings the total number of lives lost in SAMI to 48 in the year to date, with 18 of these deaths recorded at two mining houses: Harmony Gold and Impala Platinum.
“We remain resolute and undeterred in our demand that the Mine Health and Safety Act must be amended to ensure that those responsible are held accountable”, Mathunjwa concluded.
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For more information or media interviews, contact AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa.