Mining death toll rises to 201 for 2007

By Ilhaam Hoosain
04 December 2007

Mining fatalities for the year stand at 201, after the death of three workers in separate accidents over the weekend.

These fatal accidents happened at Anglo Platinum and Xstrata near Rustenburg and a miner died at Gold Fields’ Kloof Mine near Carletonville.

According to Solidarity the number of fatalities for 2006 came to 199. They say what adds to concern is that a month remains and that workers have to put in overtime to make up for the Christmas break.

President Thabo Mbeki ordered an audit, after the Elandsrand accident to be undertaken by the Inspector of Mines, into the 2 800 mining operations in our country.

The mines and labour unions will assist in the audit, which consists of a legal and a technical part. The extent of the audit and the manpower shortage means that it will take at least a year to complete the audit. At present there are only 146 inspectors to deal with the country’s nine provinces according to Solidarity.

“The mining industry has been working all along but accidents happened. It’s not a cost of a lack of activity to minimise it. It is simply the fact that it happens and we are working everyday to try and find solutions to this problems,” says Jabu Maphalala from the Chamber of Mines.

“Miners are heading for a fraught period. They are under tremendous pressure to work overtime and on weekends in order to compensate for the Christmas break. In addition, workplaces that had been left idle over the holidays are more dangerous when work is resumed,” according to Solidarity spokesperson Reint Dykema.

“Solidarity appeals to workers to be extra vigilant during this period. Mine safety starts with individuals and legislation allows workers to withdraw if they judge conditions to be dangerous,” Dykema said.

According to Solidarity they will not be taking part in NUM’s mine safety strike on Tuesday, but Solidarity members will confine themselves to their own duties and will not do the work of their colleagues who are on strike.