An elevator carrying 86 workers plummeted about 656 feet at the Impala Platinum mine in Rustenburg, South Africa resulting in the deaths of 11 miners and injuries to 75 others.
The accident happened at the end of the shift on Monday, November 27, 2023, and is considered one of the most serious in mining history.
The mine is under the operation of Impala Platinum Holdings. Its CEO, Nico Muller, termed the incident as the company’s “darkest day.”
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the elevator’s fall. The elevator, with a capacity to carry 35 workers on each of its three levels, descended unexpectedly.
The mine, which includes nine shafts and reaches about 0.6 miles in depth, was the top producer of platinum in the world last year.
Mining accidents in South Africa have decreased significantly over the years, from nearly 300 deaths in 2000 to 49 in 2022. However, this recent accident highlights the continuing hazards in the mining industry. The injured, some with critical fractures, were rushed to hospitals, with 14 in a critical state.
After the accident, the mining operations were suspended.
The South African government, led by Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe, announced an independent investigation into the accident, in addition to the company’s internal inquiry.
