Gold Fields has reported that two of its operations – Driefontein gold mine on the West Rand and Beatrix gold mine in the Free State – have both achieved 1 million fatality-free shifts.

Terence Goodlace, head of Gold Fields South African operations, described the achievement as a “magnificent double in mine safety”.

 He said: “Safety remains our top priority and we have refocused all our efforts to ensure that no harm comes to any of our employees while at work.

“We will continue to strive to eliminate fatal accidents at all our operations. Driefontein and Beatrix have shown that it can be done.”