Trade union Solidarity said today that the number of mine fatalities that have occurred this year is already 22,2% more that the number of deaths recorded over the same time period last year.

According to preliminary statistics of the Department of Mineral Resources, 55 mineworkers have died in South African mines this year, compared with 45 workers in the same period last year.

Advocate Paul Mardon, head of Solidarity’s division for occupational health and safety, said that 2016 was a challenging year for the mining industry due to the demands of the economy on the sustainability of the sector.

In addition, the increase in retrenchments at mines this year has also resulted in decreased focus and concentration of workers. Both the economic challenges and challenges in terms of health and safety have brought the mining industry at a crossroads and new and innovative thinking is needed to ensure the sustainability of the industry,” Mardon said.

General accidents, including drownings, slips and falls and exposure to dust, gas and fumes have largely contributed to the fatalities. “Fall of ground and the incorrect handling of machinery also constitute some of the main causes of mine fatalities in South Africa,” Mardon said.

About 47% of the 55 mine fatalities that have already occurred this year, occurred at gold mines, while 31% occurred at platinum mines. The remaining accidents occurred at coal mines and at other mines.

Mardon said the Lily Mine disaster in February this year re-emphasised the importance of safety in mines. “However, accidents such as that one are largely preventable. Therefore, we call on mining companies and workers to comply with safety measures at all times, thereby preventing similar accidents,” Mardon said.

Issued by Solidarity