Investigation in South Africa after 31 dead in a gold mine

South Africa is investigating the deaths of at least 31 people at a mine last month in the Free State province, which has been closed for about 30 years, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing the energy department.

“They are believed to be from neighbouring Lesotho – which reported the incident to South African authorities – and died in a ventilation shaft in Virginia mine in Welkom city,” the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) said.

It was not clear what caused their deaths but the DMRE said an investigation into the incident with the help of Harmony Gold – the previous owner of the mine which ceased operations in the 1990s – determined that methane levels were very high in the ventilation shaft.

“Harmony is working with the DMRE to provide direction on the next steps,” said spokesperson Sihle Maake.

Methane is a highly explosive greenhouse gas often found in underground mines and poses serious safety and health threats to mine workers.