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 incident, which occurred at the end of the workers’ shift on Monday evening, November 27, 2023, marks one of the most severe in recent mining history.
Impala Platinum Holdings is the operator of the mine. CEO Nico Muller described the event as the “darkest day” in the company’s history. The cause of the elevator’s sudden descent is currently under investigation.
According to reports, the elevator, which can hold up to 35 workers on each of its three levels, dropped unexpectedly, though the exact cause remains unknown. The mine, comprised of nine shafts and about 0.6 miles deep, was the world’s largest platinum mine in production last year.
The mining sector in South Africa has seen a decline in accidents and fatalities over the years, with mining deaths dropping from nearly 300 in 2000 to 49 in 2022. Despite this improvement, the recent accident highlights ongoing risks and challenges in mining operations.
The injured workers, some of whom sustained serious fractures, were immediately hospitalized. Fourteen of these people are reported to be in critical condition.
Following the incident, operations at the mine were suspended. In addition to the company’s internal investigation, South African Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe, announced that the government would investigate the accident.
