FAITH NDOU
BIKITA-Bikita Minerals has confirmed two separate incidents involving employees of independent contracting companies working at its operations, resulting in the deaths of a dump truck operator and a security guard.
In a statement released on June 8, the mining company said the first incident occurred on June 6 at approximately 1945 hours and involved 40-year-old Thomas Kaliveni, a dump truck operator employed by WGB Kinsey and Company, one of the mine’s independent contractors.
According to the statement, Kaliveni sustained injuries in an accident at a waste dump site and later succumbed to those injuries. The company said investigations into the exact circumstances surrounding the accident are currently underway.
In a separate and unrelated incident, Bikita Minerals reported the death of a security guard employed by Rebnek Security, an independent security services provider.
The company said a supervisor conducting routine inspections during the early hours of June 7 found the employee unresponsive while on duty.
No further details regarding the circumstances of the death were provided.
Bikita Minerals extended its condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased workers.
“Out of respect for the families and the ongoing investigative processes, no further details will be released at this stage,” the company said in the statement.
The company added that the safety, health and wellbeing of everyone working at its operations remain a core priority as investigations continue into both incidents.
