N12 closed for major Harmony Gold emergency drill near Fochville
The N12 highway near Fochville was temporarily closed on May 15 as Harmony Gold conducted a large-scale emergency simulation to test its disaster response capabilities. The closure affected the stretch between the R500 intersection and Wedela, where officials carried out essential emergency training in line with legal and safety requirements.
The simulation focused on a scenario where Harmony's tailings facilities fail, causing mine slurry to spill onto the highway, blocking traffic and endangering lives. As part of the drill, emergency teams practiced rescue operations, including responding to a trapped employee in the tailings material. A mock victim was airlifted to a nearby hospital to complete the training.
'Harmony is committed to safety and disaster readiness. These exercises align with SANRAL's Road Incident Management System, the National Nuclear Regulator, and our internal emergency protocols,' said Harmony Group CEO Beyers Nel. 'It ensures our teams and stakeholders are well-prepared for real-world emergencies.'
The simulation included key role players such as the SAPS, Emergency Medical Services, municipal and provincial traffic officers, and the Fochville Community Policing Forum.
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