The deaths sent a negative impression of the state of safety in some of the country's mines, the ANC said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We maintain that one death of a mine worker is one too many and captains of mining houses cannot pride themselves for making huge profits if the safety of workers is not their first priority," said ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte.

The party urged mining companies not to neglect adherence to safety rules and standards at the expense of the lives of workers.

"Only... best practice and zero tolerance when it comes to safety of mine workers will lead to economic growth," said Duarte.

The ANC's call supports that made by the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) on Monday.

Demanding that the government do more to protect mineworkers' lives, Cosatu asked for full investigations into each accident, with recommendations on additional safety measures, where these were found to be needed.

The government must then "take the strongest possible action against any companies proved to have been negligent or not complying with safety regulations," Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said.

The union federation also demanded that the mineworkers' families be given "the maximum compensation for their tragic loss".