JOHANNESBURG: In a devastating incident at the Rustenburg mine in South Africa, 11 miners lost their lives, and 75 others sustained injuries when an elevator carrying them plunged 200 meters. The mine, operated by Impala Platinum, witnessed the tragedy on Monday as more than 80 employees were ascending to the surface at the end of their shift.
Impala Platinum, commonly known as Implats, reported that the alert was raised when the lift unexpectedly started descending. The shaft, with a depth of 1,000 meters (3,280 feet), saw the elevator drop 200 meters before safety mechanisms halted its rapid descent.
75 Workers Hospitalized After South Africa Mine Elevator Incident
Implats CEO Nico Muller expressed profound grief, calling it the “darkest day” in the history of Implats. He extended condolences for the lives lost and the individuals impacted by the tragic accident. Muller stated, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of our colleagues and are in the process of ensuring all next of kin have been contacted.”
The company disclosed that 75 injured workers were admitted to local hospitals. According to spokesman Johan Theron, some workers sustained severe injuries, with most experiencing ankle and leg fractures, while others managed to walk away with minor scratches.
