Fatal Accidents at Driefontein and South Deep Gold Mines
April 29 2008 - 10:35AM
PR Newswire (US)
JOHANNESBURG, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gold Fields
Limited ("Gold Fields") (NYSE, JSE, DIFX: GFI) deeply regrets to
report that four mineworkers were fatally injured in two separate
underground accidents at its Driefontein and South Deep gold mines
on the West Rand today. Three employees at Driefontein lost their
lives as a result of a fall of ground in a stope 1,900 metres below
surface at No 10 Shaft. Two others were injured, one of them
seriously, and taken to hospital for treatment. The accident
occurred at 8-17am and followed a seismic event of 1.7 magnitude.
In a separate accident a driller's assistant was fatally injured in
a fall of ground at South Deep. The accident happened at 10-30am in
a development end on 100 level - 2,700 metres below surface of the
Twin Shaft complex. Investigations into both accidents will be
carried out by the respective mine management teams as well as the
Department of Minerals and Energy. The trade unions were also
informed. The names of the deceased and injured are being withheld
until next of kin have been informed. Vishnu Pillay, head of Gold
Fields South African operations, said: "We deeply regret the loss
of lives of our colleagues. These accidents have occurred despite
considerable efforts to improve management of safety at our
operations. We remain committed to our quest of achieving zero harm
at all our operations. Safety is still our number one priority."
About Gold Fields Gold Fields Limited is one of the world's largest
unhedged producers of gold with attributable production of more
than four million ounces per annum from eight operating mines in
South Africa, Ghana and Australia. A ninth mine, the Cerro Corona
Gold/Copper mine in Peru, is expected to commence production by mid
2008 at an initial rate of approximately 400,000 gold equivalent
ounces per annum. The company has total attributable ore reserves
of 92 million ounces and mineral resources of 252 million ounces.
Gold Fields employs some 53,000 permanent employees across its
operations and is listed on the JSE Limited South Africa (primary
listing), the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Dubai
International Financial Exchange (DIFX). All of Gold Fields'
operations are ISO14001 certified. For more information please
visit the Gold Fields website at http://www.goldfields.co.za/.
DATASOURCE: Gold Fields Limited CONTACT: Enquiries: Andrew
Davidson, Office +27(0)11-644-2638, Mobile +27(0)826677203
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