Two workers missing after mine collapse at Impala Platinum

Nine workers were trapped and operations suspended after the shaft collapsed on Tuesday afternoon.

Impala Platinum Mine. Picture: Implats.co.za.

Reuters | 1339 days ago

JOHANNESBURG - Impala Platinum (Implats) said on Wednesday that two workers were missing after a shaft collapsed at its Rustenburg mine.

#MissingMiners Impala Platinum says operations have been suspended, while rescue teams are trying to locate the two missing miners. ML
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 18, 2016

Operations at the shaft were suspended when the shaft collapsed on Tuesday, trapping a total of nine workers underground before seven were rescued, Implats' investor relations officer Alice Lourens told Reuters.

She said the company, the world's second-biggest platinum producer,was trying to find the missing workers.

It was not immediately clear how much output the company had lost following the closure of the shaft, she said.

"It's difficult to quantify, it depends on an investigation ... It's to early to say," said Lourens.

The cause of the collapse at the mine had not yet been established, the company said.

#MissingMiners Implats' Johan Theron says they have not yet released the names of the two missing male rock drill operators. ML
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 18, 2016

Four employees were killed in January at one of Implats' Rustenburg shafts following a fire.

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Two workers missing after mine collapse at Impala Platinum

Timeline

Body of mineworker trapped at Impala found

Implats: Miner’s body found in shaft

Strike impasse: ‘Sweeping changes needed'

Vandalism at Rustenburg mine

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