Lily mine: Decision to resume mining is insensitive, says Cosatu
Cosatu says the decision to resume operations at Lily Mine while three employees remain buried underground, is insensitive.
The bodies of Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi and Solomon Nyerenda, are still buried underground following a ground collapse earlier this year.
Extensive efforts to recover their remains were made but halted due to the dangerous situation at the mine.
A Canadian company has invested in Lily Mine, prompting the decision to reopen the mine which could take up to eight months to be at full production again.
But, Cosatu says the decision is insensitive and points to the fact that the mine is prioritising profits before workers.
Spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla, says the mine company and the Department of Mineral Resources has treated the Lily Mine disaster as a public relations problem.
''We think that as federation this decision is insensitive and it is clear proof that the mine is prioritising profit over workers. We are of the view that all of the efforts and the resources should be channelled at ensuring that those trapped miners are first brought to the surface,'' he said.
(File photo: Gallo Images)