Two miners killed in Harmony Gold explosion

South African miner Harmony Gold has suspended all drilling and blasting activities at its Joel mine, near Theunissen, in the Free State, following a fatal underground explosion on Wednesday afternoon, the company announced.

Two contract workers were killed and another two injured in the blast but reported to be in a stable condition.

The company said in a statement that an investigation was under way to determine the cause of the underground explosion.

“Harmony’s CEO Graham Briggs and his management team express their sincere condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased,” Harmony said.