MBOMBELA - The cause of death of three Lily Mine employees who died on 5 February 2016 was the collapse of the container which was covered by rocks and debris.
The office collapsed when a section of the mine caved-in.
This is the finding of the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court.
On Thursday it concluded concluded its findings on the deaths.
READ: LILY MINE TRAGEDY | NO CLOSURE FOR FAMILIES SEVEN YEARS LATER
The court also found that the deaths were caused by the mine owners failure to do proper assessments as required by law.
Solomon Nyirenda, Yvonne Mnisi and Pretty Winnie Nkambule were trapped underground in February 2016 and their bodies have never been recovered.
The National Prosecuting Authority says it notes the findings of the judgment, and an informed decision will be made after carefully studying the findings.
The decision of the magistrate's court is pending confirmation of the declaration by the High Court.