The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) has found that Valterra Platinum’s Motolotolo Mine near Burgersfort in Limpopo violated safety protocols following the death of a worker.
Image: IOL / Ron AI
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) has suspended operations at Valterra Platinum’s Motolotolo Mine near Burgersfort in Limpopo, following the death of a worker.
This is after Michael Pheagane Ramodike, 55, a load haulage operator, was killed at Borwa Shaft when a Load Haul Dump (LHD) machine experienced an engine shutdown, causing it to tilt and trap him between the cabin door and the frame.
The incident occurred on March 27, 2026.
The department instituted an investigation under the Mine Health and Safety Act, following calls for accountability from labour unions such as the General Industries Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU).
Mototolo Mine is a key asset for Valterra, which was recently demerged from Anglo American Platinum.
This is not the first labour and operational challenge at the mine after hundreds of workers were dismissed following an 18-day unprotected strike over medical aid changes after Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) acquired the mine from Glencore in 2018.
In its preliminary report, DMPR found that protocols were violated, particularly regarding the secure operation of machinery.
The department found that there are not adequate measures in place to ensure that unauthorised persons do not ride and operate trackless mobile machines (TMMs).
The investigation also found that there are no adequate measures in place to ensure that TMMs are only operated when all safety devices are operational and functional.
The department observed that the mine failed to implement measures to prevent workers from being injured as a result of the override proximity detection system (level 9), adding that the machine does not crawl and stop for pedestrians and other machines.
Motolotolo also failed to ensure that employees do not get injured as a result of poor maintenance of machines.
“LHD 008 was on service on 27 March 2026 dayshift and was released from the workshop for night shift on permanent override status; however, the job card indicates that the ‘starter is not working’ and there is not proof that the deviations were rectified,” stated the report, adding that the control room breakdown report indicates that the machine was fixed by an artisan on night shift at 20:10 while the artisan had already knocked off.
The report also stated that engineering managers give instructions and take health and safety decisions without legal authority.
GIWUSA President Mametlwe Sebei said the union is still studying the report, as a number of irregularities were identified.
“We are continuing to assess the report and see what steps we will be taking,” he said.
Valterra Platinum spokesperson Cindy Maneveld said the company continues to work towards achieving zero harm and is committed to preventing a repeat of this tragic incident.
“Valterra Platinum regrets the loss of life of an employee at its Mototolo mine in Limpopo. On Friday, 27 March, an employee was working underground at Borwa shaft when he was fatally injured in a trackless mobile machinery-related incident. Emergency services responded immediately, but unfortunately, the employee was declared deceased.
“Valterra Platinum extends its sincere heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased and is providing comprehensive support during this difficult time. Authorities have been informed, and a full investigation is under way,” she said.
DMPR recommended that Motolotolo halt the operation of all TMMs until the deviations are fixed.
The department also instructed the company to conduct a comprehensive audit to identify any other deviations, ensuring that the TMMs are safe for use.
“The employer is further instructed to, jointly with members of health safety committees or unions, fix the deviations, conduct a comprehensive audit for similar deviations, investigate reasons for system failures, and institute an action plan to prevent further recurrences of system failures.”
The department said this instruction should remain in force until the company has fully complied with the instructions, with the presentation made to the office of the principal inspector of mines, as well as members of health and safety committees and the unions.
The incident at Valterra Platinum's Motolotolo Mine occurred shortly after the recovery operations for a separate major disaster at Ekapa Minerals in Kimberley, where five bodies were recovered following a catastrophic mud rush.
manyane.manyane@inl.co.za