A 48-year-old locomotive operator lost his life in a tragic underground mining accident at Impala Platinum Rustenburg Operations No. 14 Shaft during the early hours of Friday, 24 July 2026.
The deceased, a resident of Phokeng in the North West Province, had been employed at the shaft for 11 months.
The fatal incident occurred at approximately 02:25 at the 27 Level Tips. Preliminary information indicates that Locomotive 437, which was hauling fully loaded hoppers from 27 UG2, derailed at the tipping section. While employees were attempting to re-rail one of the derailed loaded hoppers, Locomotive 440, travelling from 27 Merensky, collided with the stationary Locomotive 437.The collision caused the derailed hopper to pin the locomotive operator against the sidewall.
He sustained fatal injuries and was declared deceased at the scene.Emergency response procedures were immediately activated, and all relevant stakeholders were notified.
The Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.As an immediate precautionary measure, the Inspectorate instructed all employers within the Impala Platinum Rustenburg Operations complex to withdraw all underground locomotive operators to a place of safety pending the outcome of the investigation.
The directive took immediate effect across the entire operation under the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer.The Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate conveyed its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased, reaffirming its commitment to conducting a thorough investigation and ensuring that appropriate measures are implemented to prevent similar incidents in future.
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