Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (“Harmony” and/or “the Company”) is deeply saddened to report that the Company experienced two separate loss of life incidents yesterday morning.
Two employees lost their lives following a mining incident on Tuesday morning at a development end at Doornkop Mine, in Soweto, Gauteng. All blasting operations have been temporarily suspended at this mine.
In a separate incident, three employees succumbed to their injuries following a severe fall of ground incident at Joel Mine, near Theunissen in the Free State Province.
The causes of these two unrelated incidents are currently under investigation, both internally and by the regulator. The relevant authorities have been kept fully apprised of the incidents.
Investigations into the causes of these incidents will be led by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, supported by labour representatives and mine management at each operation.
“We are devastated by the news of these tragic incidents. The safety and wellbeing of our employees is our first priority, and the loss of lives of our colleagues is deeply saddening. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, colleagues and friends and will provide our full support to the families of the deceased during this challenging time.”
“We are doing all we can to prevent safety incidents through embedded and proactive risk management practices alongside our humanistic safety culture transformation journey. Our thoughts and prayers go out to every single person affected by these tragic events” says Beyers Nel, chief executive officer of Harmony.
