Solidarity emphasized that the mining accident at Impala once again places the spotlight on the shocking rate of fatal incidents at South African mines. “South African mining is a safety nightmare, with accidents just waiting to happen. Although accidents repeatedly take place due to reasons beyond the control of mining companies, as in the case of seismic activities, poor safety decisions play a significant part in mining deaths,” explained deputy general secretary of Solidarity, Dirk Hermann.

“The current level of mining deaths in South African means that more than three mineworkers die in mining accidents each week,” Hermann said. “These figures are shocking and ultimately indicate that 104 families have already been left without a breadwinner due to mining accidents this year.”