Anglo Platinum confirmed yesterday (27th October) that operations at the Turffontein shaft of its biggest mine, Rustenburg, have been shut down after a worker was killed.

South Africa has been struggling with the safety record of its mines for some time, with 200 workers being killed in 2006, 221 in 2007 and around 140 so far this year.

Now the world's biggest platinum producer, in which Anglo American holds a majority stake, is undergoing an investigation into the latest incident at Rustenburg.

Spokesman Simon Tebele said: "The incident happened on Sunday night and investigations are ongoing. There is no production at the shaft."

Mr Tebele could not confirm when the shaft - which saw production slide earlier in the year after it was closed for safety repairs - would be reopened.

The Rustenburg mine produced 282,000 oz of equivalent refined platinum in the six months to 30th June.



Source:

UPDATE 1-Angloplat shuts shaft at biggest mine after death (27/10/08)
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSLR41670320081027