Gold Fields has the worst mine death record in the country so far this year, SABC radio news reported on Friday, quoting the Department of Minerals and Energy.

The chief inspector of mines, Thabo Gazi, said about half of the total of 85 mine deaths reported so far this year, occurred at Gold Fields mines.

Gazi told the public broadcaster that mine deaths in South Africa dropped by 22 percent in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.

Last week, two mine workers were killed at a Gold Fields mine, south-west of Johannesburg.

New legislation aimed at making mines safer will be soon be debated in Parliament, said Gazi.

Gold Fields is the world's fourth biggest gold producer.

Sapa