Implats to carry out independent investigation of fatal conveyance incident

Platinum group metals major Impala Platinum (Implats) has been instructed by the Department of Minerals and Energy (DMRE) to commission an independent investigation into the fatal incident that claimed the lives of 13 miners on November 27, to determine its cause.

During mid-December, Implats received an in loco inspection report from the DMRE related to the Impala Rustenburg 11 Shaft incident, which also resulted in 75 injuries of the 86 miners being carried in the conveyance, which fell 200 m after the conveyance unexpectedly started rapidly descending.

Implats’ independent investigation will be supported by several third-party specialists and undertaken in collaboration with the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of the conveyance infrastructure.

The investigation will also draw on observations recorded from the in loco inspection and findings from the ongoing internal investigation initiated by Implats, which started

soon after the incident occurred.

Finalisation of this phase in the investigation and inquiry process allows Implats access to the impacted infrastructure, under direction from the DMRE, to initiate the independent investigation and the required remedial work.

The DMRE report contains specific instructions related to the 11 Shaft winder incident in terms of section 54(1)a of the Mine Health and Safety Act, some of which are in the process of being implemented. Other recommendations will be implemented at a later stage, as appropriate, Implats reports.

The equipment impacted in the incident, and the affected 11 Shaft complex, will remain decommissioned during this phase.

Meanwhile, Implats also notes that a total of 43 employees injured in the incident have now been discharged from hospital, while all employees previously receiving critical care, have transitioned to normal care.