A platinum miner in Limpopo was killed after the brakes failed on a utility vehicle she was in at the Atlatsa Resources Bokoni mine near Burgersfort.

This is the second death at the mine in 30 days.

Ramadimetja Degrecia Phaladi died at the Brakfontein shaft earlier in the week. The mine said her colleague, Topase Suzan Bhembe, was injured and was in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

“Whilst the investigation is ongoing, all operations related to the use of trackless equipment at the Brakfontein shaft have been suspended,” Atlatsa Resources spokesperson Prudence Lebina said.
“The Atlatsa board of directors and management extend their condolences to Ms Phaladi’s family and friends.”

NUM branch chairperson Thapelo Madintsi told News24 on Friday that they were shocked by the accident.

“We are very concerned about the fatal accident in the mine – it is the second incident within a month,” said Madintsi.

“It is very disturbing… when workers go underground, we expect them to return to their families, not to perish.”

The mine said on January 14 that Kganki Nicholas Kupa, a scraper winch operator at the Brakfontein shaft, had died while underground.