A hefty explosion on Wednesday (01/03) afternoon shook houses and businesses near the Virginia industrial area, and was heard as far as Harmony and Kitty.
Residents took to Facebook and expressed their concern as to the origin of the explosion. Most agree it was a methane gas explosion underground in one of the disused Harmony shafts, more than likely the Merriespruit vent shaft. Residents are abuzz as to its cause and origin, but are in agreement that it, in fact, did happen.
The Lejweleputswa police have, however, released a statement that there was no explosion.
“This serves to confirm that on 1 March there were allegations of an explosion, even on the social media. But according to our records at the Virginia police station, no incident occurred, nobody reported one and thus far, no case is registered,” says Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police.
On Facebook the debate was rife. Piet van der Walt wrote on the Goldfields Crime and Traffic Facebook page that Harmony needs to conduct a proper risk assessment with the involvement of the different communities. “The closure of the old shafts causes a serious accumulation of methane, which has the potential of serious harm. Where is the DMR,” he wrote.
Amanda van Zyl wrote that if it is methane, it is a threat to the whole town. “It depends on how far underground that methane is spreading, I hope someone takes this seriously.”
Some residents wrote on Facebook that it felt like a tremor shaking their houses, and many blamed illegal mining activities for the blast. One resident jokingly wrote that it was Zama Zama blasting away as part of their practical training.
Harmony Gold Mine has been approached for an official statement.
