Sibanye-Stillwater says its Driefontein mine's Masakhane operations in Carletonville will stay shut for another week as it and the Department of Mineral Resources investigate the seismic event on May 3 in which 13 mineworkers were trapped. Seven of the workers died. Since the incident Sibanye's share price has tanked - 20% this week alone - and it has lost about 7.395 ounces of production. Masakhane produces about 20% of Driefontein's production. The investigation will assess the damage and if it is safe for workers to return to work. Work will continue as usual at Sibanye's other Driefontein operations. Sibanye spokesperson James Wellsted said seismic events happened all the time. About 18 or 19 such events, all of different magnitude, had occurred on May 3, May 4 and May 5. The one that led to the accident registered 2.5 on the Richter scale. Seismic events are related to the age of a mine and its depth, said Wellsted. Sibanye's operations in Carletonville - with a depth of about ...
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