Four mine workers trapped, feared dead in Orkney

[schumi]

Four mine workers are trapped and feared dead at the Tau Lekoa mine in Orkney, following "seismic activity" on Friday afternoon.

National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu confirmed the incident, saying the seismic activity took place at 12:00 on Friday afternoon. As a result, five mine workers were trapped, although one was rescued immediately after.

He suffered serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, Mammburu said.

Four mine workers remain trapped and rescue teams are currently on site.

More at : https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/...orkers-trapped-feared-dead-in-orkney-20191207

 

[schumi]

UPDATE: Orkney mining rescue operation expected to take three days

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has called for "drastic action" to improve the safety standards and procedures at mines, as four mine workers are trapped and feared dead in a mine in Orkney.

Rescue teams are currently on site, but it is estimated that it will take three or four days to rescue the workers due to rocks continuing to fall underground, the NUM said in a statement.

The mine workers became trapped at the Tau Lekoa mine in Orkney after "seismic activity" on Friday afternoon.

NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu confirmed the incident, saying the seismic activity took place at 12:00 on Friday.

As a result, five mine workers were trapped, although one was rescued immediately after. He suffered serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, Mammburu said.


"Earlier [on Friday] the proto team was able to communicate with the four mine workers who are still trapped underground, but later they were no longer responding," the statement reads.

More at : https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/...peration-expected-to-take-three-days-20191207

 

[Urist]

Horrible way to die

 

[Mortymoose]

When I was transferred to Cullinan mine to serve my apprenticeship, my biggest fear was to have to work underground, lucky I suffered from Asthma and my doctor in Cullinan happened to be my childhood doc back in South West Africa, so I never went under, a big relief, I for one respect ALL those guys grafting beneath us...

 

[dlk001]

Sad situation. I pray for a miracle.

 

[schumi]

JUST IN: Bodies of 3 trapped miners recovered from gold mine near Orkney

The bodies of three of the four mineworkers who were trapped in a gold mine near Orkney were recovered by rescue workers on Saturday evening.

Village Main Reef (VMR) spokesperson James Duncan said the recoveries at the Tau Lekoa mine were made at around 19:00.

"The board and management of VMR extend their deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the workers who have died. Work continues to reach the remaining trapped worker."

More at: https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/...recovered-from-gold-mine-near-orkney-20191207

 

[TheChamp]

RIP and condolences, very tragic.

 

[Gordon_R]

Bizarre story amidst this tragedy:
I just heard a spokesperson for the NUM on the radio news asking why miners were not evacuated before the seismic event happened. Nearly spat coffee through my nose. Duh!?

 

[dlk001]

JOHANNESBURG - NUM is calling for an independent investigation after four mineworkers died at the Tau Lekoa mine in Orkney in the North West. A fifth miner was rescued with serious injuries on Friday after the accident.

Since the miners mining the pillars that hold the roofing of the mine underground, but they are not replacing them with artificial pillars. Why was that not done? Joseph Montisetse, President - National Union of Mineworkers

He says a forensic investigation is also necessary to determine why the recommendations of the Department of Mineral Resources have not been implemented, citing a similar accident at Tau Lekoa Mine in 2017. Four miners also died then after being trapped by a rockfall.

NUM calls for forensic audit after body of fourth Tau Lekoa miner recovered

'We are dying, give us oxygen!' - NUM's Joseph Montisetse says the lives of mine workers are still being taken for granted in SA.

www.capetalk.co.za

 

[ForceFate]

RIP
Condolences to families

 

[ponder]

Bizarre story amidst this tragedy:
I just heard a spokesperson for the NUM on the radio news asking why miners were not evacuated before the seismic event happened. Nearly spat coffee through my nose. Duh!?