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15 Sep 2011

Mining lies at the very base of our society serving the public good - such a critical factor in our economy for generations. It is a highly collaborative effort that binds all of us in this industry as one.

It is therefore a cause of the deepest distress to the Ministry and the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) when the lives of such valuable and brave people are taken, as happened recently when, in all, 11 people died and 11 were injured, in a collision involving a bus and a mine hauler truck on the road between Kriel and Ogies.

We extend our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of those taken from our midst. Their loss is the nation's loss.

We express our sympathy with those who have been injured, and we are hopeful that they will make a full recovery, and receive the best available medical treatment.

Miners are precious enough without their being exposed to the carnage on the roads, which sadly does happen in the nature of things. The rate of accidents on our roads is totally unacceptable and indeed a major challenge for the nation to deal with. The shocking incident will spur us on in our efforts to work with other agencies and institutions to make our roads safe, including for those who toil for long and irregular hours in the honourable cause of mining.

In this spirit, we mark these untimely events which will be causing such personal misery and sense of loss to so many people. At the same time, as people have gathered solemnly to remember and to grieve, we salute our comrades of this industry struck down by this tragic event.

Enquiries:
Zingaphi  Jakuja
Cell: 082 766 3940

Bheki Khumalo
Cell: 082 773 2388

Issued by: Department of Mineral Resources
15 Sep 2011

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