Harmony Gold: Mine Dam Drowning Inquest Launched After Boys Die

• Two young boys, Thabo Diloko (9) and Lethabo Abrahams (8), drowned in a mine dam near Harmony Gold's Target 2 Rock Dump in Allanridge, Free State.
• The South African Police Service has opened an inquest into the deaths, while Harmony Gold has not clarified ownership or safety measures at the site.
• Families and the Mkhonto Wo Mnotho community organization believe the deaths were preventable and are considering legal action, citing inadequate fencing and unrehabilitated mine areas.
• Community representatives argue that warning signs are insufficient without physical barriers to prevent public access to hazardous sites.
• Previous investigations in 2023 documented long-standing community demands for fencing at another Harmony Mine-linked dam, Voëlpan, where prior deaths had also occurred.

The community's long-standing calls for secure barriers around such water bodies underscore a critical gap in mine site safety, particularly concerning disused or unrehabilitated areas.

Two young boys, 9-year-old Thabo Diloko and 8-year-old Lethabo Abrahams, tragically drowned in a mine dam situated near Harmony Gold's Target 2 Rock Dump in Allanridge, Free State. The incident occurred on August 29, when the two, along with two other boys, ventured to the area to swim.

Family members reported that while Thabo's body was recovered on the same day, Lethabo's body was only found two days later, following the filing of a missing persons report with local police. The devastating loss has left both families in Nyakallong grappling with profound grief, with Lethabo's grandmother, Monki Abrahams, recalling her grandson as a lively and energetic child, and Thabo's family expressing sorrow over a future they had envisioned for him that will now never materialize.

Harmony Gold has acknowledged that the drownings took place near its Target 2 Rock Dump. However, the mining company has not provided answers regarding the ownership or control of the land and dam in question, nor has it disclosed details about any fencing or physical barriers that were in place at the time of the incident. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that an official inquest has been initiated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the boys' deaths, signaling heightened scrutiny on the incident.

The families of the deceased boys firmly believe that these preventable deaths could have been avoided had the mine dam area been adequately secured with proper fencing to restrict access, especially for children. This sentiment is echoed by community organizations, which are now demanding greater accountability from both the mining company and government authorities regarding the management of disused mining sites.

Musawenkosi Dyantyi, chairperson of the Mkhonto Wo Mnotho (Spear of the Economy) community-based organization, has voiced serious concerns about the rehabilitation and protection of older mining areas. Dyantyi questions how historical mining operations were permitted to proceed without sufficient community engagement, leading to sites being left unrehabilitated and unprotected, thereby creating environmental hazards and potential for corporate negligence. Residents of Nyakallong observed that a warning sign was only erected at the site after the drownings occurred, a measure Dyantyi deems insufficient without physical barriers.

Dyantyi emphasized that mere cautionary signposts are ineffective if sites remain easily accessible, particularly to children. He advocates for robust barricades and fencing to prevent unauthorized entry. Mkhonto Wo Mnotho has already met with the Abrahams family and has offered to provide legal partners should the family decide to pursue legal action against Harmony Gold, highlighting the potential for significant South African mine site safety liability. The Pule Maile Foundation has also extended support to the affected families.

The ongoing Harmony Gold mine dam drowning inquest underscores critical issues surrounding Mine Health and Safety Act compliance ZA within the South African mining sector. The incident brings into sharp focus the obligations of mining companies to ensure the safety of areas adjacent to their operations, particularly those that may pose risks to the public.

This tragic event could set a precedent for increased legal action against mining companies for corporate negligence, especially concerning unrehabilitated mine sites. The community's push for accountability, supported by organizations like Mkhonto Wo Mnotho, suggests a growing demand for mining companies to proactively manage and secure their sites, even those considered disused or peripheral to active operations. Legal counsel and compliance officers within mining operations in the Free State and across South Africa should review their fencing, access control, and rehabilitation protocols to mitigate risks of public access and potential claims.

The community's long-standing calls for secure barriers around such water bodies underscore a critical gap in mine site safety, particularly concerning disused or unrehabilitated areas. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences when these responsibilities are not adequately met, potentially leading to significant Free State mining environmental liability.

The recent drownings are not isolated incidents, as residents of Nyakallong have previously raised alarms about public access to dangerous dams linked to Harmony Mine. A 2023 investigation, conducted by community monitors with support from the Bench Marks Foundation, documented persistent problems surrounding Voëlpan, a different dam located in Nyakallong.

That report indicated that individuals had previously been found deceased in Voëlpan, and residents had repeatedly called for the dam to be fenced off, albeit to no avail. The investigation also detailed complaints regarding mine water contaminating Voëlpan and outlined several demands directed at Harmony Gold concerning water management. This history of unaddressed concerns highlights a systemic issue regarding mine site safety and environmental responsibility in the region.

This incident, leading to an SAPS inquest and potential legal action by community groups, signals heightened scrutiny on mining companies' obligations regarding site safety, particularly for unrehabilitated or disused areas. Compliance officers and legal counsel for mining operations in South Africa should proactively review their fencing, access control, and rehabilitation protocols to mitigate risks of public access and potential corporate negligence claims under the Mine Health and Safety Act.

Source: Original reporting via Health-e News