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Seismic event results in the death of 38-year-old female miner

Seismic event at a gold fields mine killed a 38 year old miner
A seismic event at a South African mine has claimed the life of a 38 year old miner.

A 38 year old female Trackless Crew Leader has died following a seismic event at a South African mine.

Gold Fields (JSE, NYSE: GFI) said in a statement that ”It is with deep sadness that is announced that an employee at its South Deep mine in South Africa lost her life in a mining accident yesterday morning.”

The 38-year old Trackless Crew Leader was fatally injured after being struck by a rock ejected from the face following a series of four seismic events in quick succession. Three of the events were between 1.4 – 1.9 in magnitude.

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Goldfields have confirmed that the deceased received immediate attention on the scene by her colleagues and paramedics but succumbed to her injuries soon after the rock burst following the seismic event Three members of her team sustained minor injuries and, after receiving medical treatment on the scene, were referred to the hospital for a full examination. They were subsequently released from the hospital.

South Deep is providing assistance to the deceased employee’s family, who will also be supported in accordance with a range of policies and programmes.

All operations at South Deep were suspended yesterday in respect for the deceased and to allow our employees to access counselling, if requested.

The affected area –100 2BW corridor at a depth of 2,700m – will remain closed until it is deemed to be safe. It accounts for approximately 10% of South Deep’s planned production this year.

The Department of Mineral Resources will conduct the in-loco inspection today, once the seismic event rating has receded from its current high rating.

This is the first fatality at Gold Fields this year and comes amid significant improvements in the Group’s safety performance over the past five years.

Nick Holland, CEO of Gold Fields, said: “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased. Management will do everything possible to support them in this hour of need.”

“Safety remains the first value for our management teams at all our operations and this latest accident will expedite a review of our already stringent safety protocols and procedures to reduce the incidence of and mitigate the impact of seismic events,” Mr Holland added.”

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