AMN - South Africa’s safety record hit again – comment by Yolanda Torrisi

The thoughts and prayers of all African Mining Network members and readers go to the families, friends and colleagues of the six mineworkers tragically killed in a fire underground at the Palabora Mining Company's copper mine in South Africa's Limpopo province on Sunday. One mining-related death is one too many and the entire industry must continue to work much harder to ensure safety remains the top priority in all aspects of mine operations and that everything possible is done to prevent loss of life.

The accident gives South Africa’s mining industry another big hit at a time when it needs everything going right and does nothing to put mining in a better light with many parts of the population.

There have now been over 50 deaths in the mining industry since the beginning of 2018, making it the second worst year so far this decade after 112 people died in 2012. More than 20 workers died at the Sibanye-Stillwater operations alone this year.

Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe said: "It is unfortunate that yet again, as a country, we have lost so many lives in this disaster. These deaths add to an already high number of lost lives in the industry since the beginning of the year."

Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) head Joseph Mathunjwa said in a statement: "According to reports received from Amcu’s Limpopo East leadership‚ a fire broke out at the Phalaborwa Mining Company‚ a copper mine in eastern Limpopo‚ at around 1.25am.

“The fire reportedly started at conveyor belt five. When smoke was seen by a logistic belt operator‚ the workers were instructed to evacuate the area to the closest refuge chamber.

"The proto team at the mine itself was reportedly not ready to complete the rescue. Therefore another proto team from the Burgersfort area had to be called in. Unfortunately‚ this team arrived late and could only start work at around 11am.

“They managed to recover one living and two deceased mineworkers from the mine‚ but the high temperatures made the rescue efforts almost impossible.

"The proto team could not stay down long enough due to the high temperatures. They were wearing ice jackets‚ which only protect them for a limited time‚" he said.

Minister Mantashe has called on mining companies to prioritise the safety of mineworkers at all times and said there would be an investigation into the incident once the area was declared safe.

Unions have also called for mining companies to put the lives of mineworkers first to achieve zero harm or deaths in the industry and to be held accountable for the deaths of mineworkers, with AMCU’s Mathunjwa adding: "The government must make sure that they make laws that protect the workers."

While these calls must be heeded by the companies, it is vital that everyone involved in the industry, including government, regulators, unions, mining organisations, company executives and management, and workers themselves do whatever it takes to improve safety.

The same applies to the mining equipment and services suppliers and contractors who deal with the mining companies on a daily basis.

Yolanda Torrisi is Chairperson of The African Mining Network and comments on African mining issues and the growing global interest in the continent. Contact:yolanda@yolandatorrisi.com