Impala Platinum (Implats) says work has halted at one of the shaft projects at its Impala Rustenburg mine after a worker was killed in an accident.

The fatality occurred this morning (August 30th) at Shaft 20. The miner killed was a contractor working for Murray and Roberts, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said.

It brings the number of deaths in South Africa's mining sector to 92 so far in 2011.

"We can confirm that there was a fatality at 20 Shaft which we have closed following this tragic event," Implats spokeswoman Alice Lourens told Reuters.

Business Live reports that the NUM is concerned by the "unwillingness of the industry to guarantee safety for its employees".

The Impala Rustenburg mine produces 871,400 oz of refined platinum annually.

Sources:
 

Implats halts work at shaft project after fatality (30/08/11)

Miner dies at Implats shaft: NUM (30/08/11)

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