JOHANNESBURG -(Dow Jones)- More than 5,000 mineworkers in South Africa have put down their tools for the day at Northam Platinum Ltd.'s (NHM.JO) mine where two workers died in a mining accident last week, the country's largest trade union said Thursday.
The workers plan to gather for a memorial service and then return to their homes, which the National Union of Mineworkers said is part of its resolution to observe a day of mourning each time a miner is killed.
"The NUM calls on all its members countrywide to observe days of mourning...in an attempt to put more pressure for companies to observe health and safety policies," the union said in an emailed statement.
Northam last week said two employees had been killed at its Zondereinde operation by falling ground some 1,350 meters below the surface.
The government has called for stricter safety measures at the country's platinum mines to halt industry fatalities after five miners were crushed this month by falling rock at the Marikana platinum mine operated by Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (AQP.AU).
Copyright © 2010 Dow Jones Newswires
