Explosion at Jwaneng Mine causes serious injury

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Monday August 13, 2012 00:00

Information reaching The Monitor reveal that the accident was so serious that the injured person was immediately airlifted to a private hospital in Gaborone. Debswana's corporate communications manager Rachel Mothibatsela confirmed the accident. 'Yes there was an incident where a transformer failed and exploded in the Jwaneng mines. One person was injured but he is in stable condition in a hospital in Gaborone,' Mothibatsela said. She however could not explain the extent of the injuries, stating that they have not assessed the victim who is still in hospital.

Mothibatsela added that Debswana management will launch an investigation to establish what could have led to the incident. Early last month the mine walls collapsed and 16 workers were trapped.  One died while the other 15 were rescued not long after the rescue team got to work.The Friday incident comes at a time when investigations into what led to the fatal accident are still underway. Three employees have since been suspended pending the outcome of investigations into the causes of the collapse of the mine wall. The three employees were scheduled to appear before a panel of enquiry on Friday but it was postponed on the day.