BCL disaster victims named

Onalenna Kelebeile | Thursday June 2, 2016 14:32

 

They are Gaseitsiwe Selelo who was employed as SHE Inspector from Seleka village, Godirilemang Seane who was employed as a miner in charge also from Seleka, Botsanang Maphane, a cage tender from Kgagodi as well as Mmoniemang Tlase who was a winch operator from Radisele village.

The accident, which is the first this year, involved 10 employees and the cause is yet to be established. However, preliminary internal observations indicate that a rope of a General Men Transport (GMT) snapped while transporting workers at the end of a shift. Investigations are already underway and operations at the shaft have been suspended indefinitely.

The marketing and public relations manager, James Molosankwe also said in a statement that two employees who were referred to Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital are in a stable condition and out of danger.  “One employee out of the four who were admitted to the mine hospital has been referred to Gaborone Private Hospital for further orthopaedic management,” he stated.

He further said two of the three injured employees who remained at the mine hospital were discharged on Monday leaving only one admitted. He said the parents of the deceased and the injured have been informed including stakeholders such as the union. He added that they are working with the families to arrange for post-mortem and funeral arrangements.

Molosankwe added that the mine management welcomes the move by government to involve external help to investigate the current incident and conduct an inspection across the mine. He said last year, the mine engaged external consultants to undertake an in-depth assessment to uncover the underlying causes and issues that are having a negative impact on safety performance.

He indicated that the study made recommendations, which are currently being implemented and such recommendations have led to the company achieving a reduction in the Lost Time Injury Frequencies Rate (LTIFR).

The company recorded 1.98 in 2000 and the figure dropped to 0.52 in 2015 and no LTIFR in December last year. He said the mine has also partnered with Glencore, a multi national mining and commodities company for best practices in safety.