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Mine fatalities reach all-time low, occupational disease incidences fall 3%

Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane

Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane

28th January 2016

By: Ilan Solomons

Creamer Media Staff Writer

  

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JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – In 2015 South Africa recorded its lowest-ever number of mine fatalities - 77, down from 84 the year before, Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane revealed on Thursday.

Gold mines reported 33 fatalities in 2015 – an improvement on the 44 fatalities the year before; however, the number of fatalities in platinum mines increased from 16 in 2014 to 22 in the year under review.

The coal sector recorded five fatalities last year – an improvement on the nine fatalities in 2014.

Other mines, including diamonds, copper, chrome, iron-ore and other commodity operations, reported 17 fatalities, which was a regression from the 15 fatalities recorded in 2014.

“The South African mining sector is now comparing favourably in terms of fatality rates when compared with other countries, such as the US and Canada,” Zwane enthused during a media briefing in Tshwane.

He also highlighted that a large number of mining companies, including De Beers, Exxaro, Sasol, Northam Platinum, Pilanesberg Platinum, South32, Aquarius Platinum, Total Coal, Kuyasa Mining, Coal of Africa, Foskor, Lafarge, AfriSam, Petra Diamonds and Trans Hex Mining, had not had any fatalities in more than 12 months.

INJURIES & DISEASES
Zwane noted, however, that 3 116 injuries were reported in 2015 – a 15% year-on-year regression from the 2 700 injuries recorded the year before.

“The regression is largely as a result of the comparison period, which includes the platinum wage negotiation period in 2014,” he explained.

The Minister highlighted that compliance with statutory reporting had improved last year, as mines had timeously submitted their occupational hygiene statutory returns and annual medical reports (AMRs).

“The overall number of occupational hygiene reports submitted for the 2014/15 reporting period increased. There was a 17% increase in airborne pollutants, 15% in noise and 25% in thermal stress reports submitted,” he stated.

The number of AMRs submitted also increased by 10%, while the statutory reporting on HIV and tuberculosis increased “significantly” by 49% between the 2013/14 and the 2014/15 periods.

Zwane added that there was an improvement of 3% in the number of occupational diseases reported, which declined from 6 810 in 2014 to 6 577 in 2015.

He said that, nationally, the rate of silicosis cases had decreased by 24% and that of silicotuberculosis cases by 27%, but that the rate of pulmonary tuberculosis had risen 9% and noise-induced hearing loss by 5%.

Additionally, the Minister noted that cases of asbestosis increased by 50%, while other diseases decreased by 6%.

“We welcome the overall improvement in matters of health and safety and pledge to continue to work with all our stakeholders to ensure these matters remain a top priority for all of us.

“It is, after all, in the long-term interest of us, as stakeholders, and for the sustainability of the mining industry, that every worker return home unharmed, every day,” Zwane emphasised.

INDUSTRY RESPONSES
Also in attendance at the briefing were representatives from the Chamber of Mines (CoM) and trade unions, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), Solidarity and other industry bodies.

NUM national secretary for health and safety Eric Gcilitshana welcomed the decline in fatalities.

“We believe this is the result of a number of interventions that have been implemented together by mine management, the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and the respective trade unions.

“There has been a significant and consistent decline in mining fatalities since 2012 when over 100 deaths were recorded. However, we are still deeply concerned by the number of fatalities that are occurring as there are still people that have been left widowed and without a breadwinner owing to the deaths of these 77 mineworkers in 2015. The ultimate aim is still to ensure that zero harm occurs on mines,” he said.

AMCU president Joseph Mathunjwa stated, however, that “one dead miner is one dead miner too many. These mines will continue to slaughter black mineworkers as long as the legislation is not transformed and tailored to ensure the rights of the workers are made paramount.

“The Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Disease Act must be amended, as it is not protecting the mineworkers’ interests; instead it is protecting the interests of the mine bosses, as it prevents the families of deceased miners from suing the companies to get compensation,” he contended.

He further argued that, until mining company executives were held criminally liable for the deaths of mineworkers, there would be no meaningful improvement in the lives of mineworkers.

Solidarity sustainable development and relations head Leigh McMaster, meanwhile, called on mining industry stakeholders, including mining companies, trade unions and government, to continue to engage one another on health and safety matters and actively participate in measures as outlined by the DMR.

“Overall, there have certainly been improvements but the ultimate goal of achieving zero harm must remain the target for the industry,” he stated.

CoM president Mike Teke said the chamber welcomed the lower fatalities, noting that there had been an 87% improvement in this outcome over the past 21 years, which was “testimony to the significant safety efforts of management, employees, government and trade unions”.
 
Nonetheless, he stressed that, while there was a reduction of 8% in mining fatalities in 2015, the CoM’s members acknowledged that they could not rest until every mineworker returned from work unharmed every day.
 
“We mourn the loss of our 77 colleagues to accidents in 2015 and we mourn those who have died in the first month of 2016. We wish all those employees who were harmed in accidents a speedy recovery. We reaffirm our commitment to achieve the commitments set out at the 2014 Health and Safety Tripartite summit,” he stated.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

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