Two die in BCL mine accident

| Thursday February 26, 2015 17:37

 

The incident has infuriated the Botswana Mining Workers Union (BMWU), which has expressed concern at the rate at which accidents happen at this mine. BMWU secretary general, Bob Malele said the accident raised questions about the safety standards at the facility.

“There was a misfire yesterday in which one person died on the spot, and yesterday we learned that the other victim who was critically injured has also passed on,” Malele lamented. 

“Systems are in place to ensure that employees operate in a safe and secure environment but you wonder whether they are being enforced,” Malele added.

That three fatalities were recorded last year added salt to an injury, and raised doubts at the level of adherence to safety standards and procedures.  Commenting on the fresh accident, he said it was critical to adhere to processes such as blast management plans, as well as to ensure that misfire management plan ensured blast holes were clear of explosives. 

Malele said BMWU had, on several occasions, spoken to the mine management and the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources about the need to enhance safety. 

At time of going to press, the management of the mine had not responded to enquiries from our Selebi Phikwe Bureau.