Three workers still trapped following South Africa mine collapse

The three have been trapped since Friday after buildings collapsed into an underground shaft at the Lilly Mine in Mpumalanga Province.

Search continued for the three whose fate has became the focus of attention in the nation, paramedics said.
On Monday, President Jacob Zuma requested the nation to keep in their thoughts and prayers for the families of the trapped.

“This is a very difficult period for the affected families as they wait and pray for their loved ones to be found in good health. Let us keep them in our thoughts and prayers. We wish the rescue teams all the strength and wisdom possible as they execute their difficult task,” said Zuma.

It was reported that at the start of the morning shift, the main crown pillar collapsed into the underground open stopes, trapping around 75 miners at the mine owned by Vantage Goldfields Limited.

All those 75 miners have been brought to the surface, all with minor injuries.

Also on Monday, Minister of Mineral Resources Mosebenzi Zwane said at the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town that the government is committed to reaching the target of zero-fatality in the mining industry.

“This year has begun with a series of tragic incidents, the most recent being the Lilly mine accident — our prayers continue to be with the miners and their families,” Zwane said.

“We all have a joint responsibility to ensure the safety of our workers,” said the minister. Enditem

Source: Xinhua