Issued by: Ministry of Minerals and Energy
Mr Penuell Maduna, Minister of Minerals and Energy, will be announcing the coming into effect of the Mine Health and Safety Act No 29 of 1996 at a Ceremony of Celebration in the Doornkop Shaft of the Randfontein Mine at 11h30 on Wednesday 15 January 1997.
The Act's coming into effect will be the culmination of a process which started formally on 15 October 1991 when, at a working group of the Mining Summit, the National Union of Mineworkers proposed that a Commission into mine health and safety be appointed. The Summit was a Government/ Chamber of Mines/ National Union of Mineworkers group established to improve mine health and safety.
After many setbacks, Cabinet approved the appointment of a Commission of Enquiry on 26 May 1993. However, it was difficult to find members of the Commission acceptable to both the unions and the Chamber of Mines. Only on 6 May 1994, almost a year later, were those Commission members, under the chairmanship of Judge Leon, actually appointed.
The Commission's Report, made public by President Mandela on 30 March 1995, set out grim statistics of mine fatalities and injuries and mine-related illness in South African mines. It made far- reaching recommendations, almost all of which have been incorporated into the Act which will come into force on 15 January 1997.
Members of the media will receive a copy of the Act, a summary of its provisions and a statement by the Minister. This will be done in a context which will emphasise the inherently dangerous conditions under which dedicated and courageous miners risk their lives and well-being. With the new Act in place, South Africa will enter a new era of mine health and safety.
Members of the media who wish to attend should please advise Roland Darroll to reserve a place in the group. They will need to be at the Mine by 09h30 in order to equip themselves with miner's lamps and protective clothing before proceeding underground. For a map explaining how to arrive at the mine please fax or phone the numbers below.
Enquiries: Roland Darroll: 082 552 7994 w: (012) 322 8695 h: (012) 433394 Fax: (012) 322 8699
9 January 1997