- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FLOODS THREATEN TO DESTROY WORLD'S RICHEST GOLD MINE
- Date: 30th October 1968
- Summary: WEST DRIEFONTEIN MINE; BLYVOORUITZICHT MINE; WORKERS WITH HOSE AND TROLLEY; WATER RUSHES DOWN CANAL; CRANE LIFTS EQUIPMENT. Initials LH/VS/AE/PF Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 14th November 1968 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: NEAR JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
- Country: South Africa
- Reuters ID: LVAEDES34IYLBYDHZ24TIDN6SKUA
- Story Text: SOUTH AFRICAN ENGINEERS ARE FIGHTING TO SAVE THE WORLD'S RICHEST GOLD MINE FORM POSSIBLE DESTRUCTION BY EXTENSIVE UNDERGROUND FLOODING. MINING OPERATIONS STOPPED ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 28) AFTER WATER FROM AN UNDERGROUND FISSURE POURED INTO THE SHAFT OF THE WEST DRIEFONTEIN MINE NEAR JOHANNESBURG. THERE HAVE BEEN NO CAUSALITIES.
GOLD PRODUCTION MAY HALT COMPLETELY UNLESS THE FLOW OF WATER INTO THE MINE - ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN 70 MILLION GALLONS (317 MILLION LITRES) A DAY - IS HALTED.
PUMPS WORKING NON STOP AT 71 MILLION GALLONS (318 MILLION LITRES) AN HOUR HAVE SO FAR FAILED TO LOWER THE WATER LEVEL. THE NEIGHBOURING BLYVOORUITZICHT MINE IS TRYING TO DRILL THROUGH TO THE STRICKEN SHAFT TO EASE THE FLOW OF WATER.
THE GOLDFIELDS GROUP OWNERS OF THE MINE SAID YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) THAT MORE THAN 200,000 TONS OF ORE HAS BEEN STOCKPILED - ENOUGH TO KEEP MILLING GOING FOR THREE WEEKS.
THE GROUP CHAIRMAN, MR. A LOUW, SAID THE MINE IS IN DANGER FOR THE NEXT 50 DAYS AND HE HOPED THE TIDE WOULD BE TURNED IN THREE WEEKS.
THE MINE LAST YEAR PRODUCED 2,518 FINE OUNCES OF GOLD.
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