Royal Bafokeng confirms mineworker’s death

A mineworker injured last week during a conveyor belt accident has since died, according to Royal Bafokeng Platinum.

Johannesburg - Royal Bafokeng Platinum on Monday announced that a mineworker who was injured last week during a mining accident at its Rasimone Platinum Mine in Rustenburg, North West, has since died.

“RBPlat regrets to announce the death of an employee, Mr Thabang Clemente Frederick Mokone, at its BRPM North shaft. Mr Mokone, employed as a Box Controller Assistant, was injured during a conveyor belt accident which occurred on Thursday, 12 May 2016,” RBPlat said in a statement.

RBPlat said all conveyor belt operations have been suspended at BRPM North shaft pending a full investigation into the accident, which had commenced in conjunction with the Department of Mineral Resources.

The statement said RBPlat board and management “extend condolences” to the family, friends and colleagues of Mokone.

“RBPlat remains committed to keeping its workforce safe from any harm.”

The last fatality at RBPlat’s Rasimone mine occurred on December 4 last year. Almeida Manual Bendzane, a team leader, was fatally injured in a fall of ground in that accident.

ANA