Num warns mine on deaths

The National Union of Mineworkers on Monday said the mining industry's claims that it had improved safety conditions were questionable after two more mineworkers died at the weekend.

"The National Union of Mineworkers sends its condolences to the families of the deceased and warns the industry that there will be consequences for them jumping the gun in talking 'improved safety', when breadwinners are lost out of largely preventable accidents."

One miner was killed in a reported ground fall at Samancor Millsell on Saturday. The other succumbed to injuries sustained at Anglo Platinum's Thembelani 1 shaft in the North West on Sunday.

The trade union said this brought to nine the death toll in South Africa's mines for January.