Elandsrand starts with safety shift
Johannesburg. Friday, 16 November 2007. Harmony Gold Mining Company (Harmony) announced today that a joint examination of the Men and Material Shaft at Elandsrand Gold Mine had taken place, and that the tripartite team, consisting of management, unions and the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME), had found it to be in good working condition.
This follows repairs conducted to the shaft that was damaged by a compressed air column that had failed and subsequently fallen down the shaft on 3 October 2007.
Elandsrand mine management and employees, have gone underground to inspect and carry out safety procedures at the workplaces. Operations were suspended 43 days ago and no blasting has occurred since then. No blasting will take place until such time as Harmony has satisfied itself that it is safe to do so.
Mine management will notify the DME of the conditions encountered at the inspected workplaces.
On Monday 19 November 2007, management will present the findings of the investigation into the pipe failure that occurred on 3 October to the DME.
Management is committed to ensure that the start-up of the mine is done safely and free of any further incidents regardless of time delays.
For more details contact:
Graham Briggs
Acting Chief Executive
+27(0)83 265 0274
Alwyn Pretorius
Chief Operating Officer
+27 (0)82 806 0872
Lizelle du Toit
Investor Relations Officer
+27(0)82 465 1244