Mon May 20 22:57:13 SAST 2013
Mon May 20 22:57:14 SAST 2013

South African mine fatalities down

Mar 20, 2012 | Reuters | 1 comments

Minister says will continue stopping unsafe areas

Drive to improve mine safety sees fewer deaths

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Fatalities are falling in South Africa’s mines as the industry is subjected to a surge of inspections, and the country’s mines minister said on Tuesday she would not relent despite industry complaints.  

Minister Susan Shabangu told a news briefing that from Jan. 1 to March 12 of this year, 22 miners were killed in South Africa’s mines compared to 27 in the same period in 2011.  

The number of injuries fell sharply over the same period by 40% to 403 from 667.  

“Whilst there is improvement in the statistics, I’m of the opinion that there is room for improvement as the fatalities in the mining industry are still unacceptable,” she said.  

“The department will continue with the stance of stopping unsafe working areas.”  

The department of mineral resources has launched a safety drive to cut fatalities in the country’s mines, the world’s deepest and among the most dangerous.  

The industry has complained about the blanket nature of the safety stoppages ordered by the department which has seen entire mines shut down for infractions in one shaft or operation.  

The safety-related stoppages cost the platinum sector 300,000 ounces last year in lost output.   

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Mon May 20 22:57:14 SAST 2013 ::
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Mar 20, 2012

Papage

In the same breath, I would like the Minister to investigate how to curb Mine Dust that is killing Diepkloof, Noortgesis, Orlando, Meadowlands and Dobsonville residents. It is winter now and soon Diepkloof will be covered in Cream White mine dust.
It is time people of Diepkloof stand up and protest against this mining companies that dont care about them.
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