It's time the government started monitoring South African mines. Several incidents have happened on mines recently that are a cause for concern.
It's time the government started monitoring South African mines. Several incidents have happened on mines recently that are a cause for concern.
The first incident took place last week on Wednesday, when more than 3200 miners were trapped deep underground for more than 24 hours. This happened after a falling pipe column cut off the power supply to the lift used to hoist workers back to the surface.
The chairman of the mine, Patrice Motsepe, and Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica visited Harmony's Elandsrand gold mine near Carletonville and assured everyone that mine security will be made a priority.
Then four people died at AngloGold Ashanti's Mponeng mine near Carletonville.
Last Sunday 23 illegal miners' bodies were recovered from St Helena Mine in Welkom in Free State.
The president has now called for all South African mines to be audited as the state mine safety watchdog is facing skills shortages, limited resources and high turnover. Last year 200 people died and 4000 people were injured in South African mines.
Policies and legislation must be implemented and the government must ensure that stakeholders are also involved and play their part.
Solomon PhetlaJohannesburg
Mine safety needs monitoring
It's time the government started monitoring South African mines. Several incidents have happened on mines recently that are a cause for concern.
It's time the government started monitoring South African mines. Several incidents have happened on mines recently that are a cause for concern.
The first incident took place last week on Wednesday, when more than 3200 miners were trapped deep underground for more than 24 hours. This happened after a falling pipe column cut off the power supply to the lift used to hoist workers back to the surface.
The chairman of the mine, Patrice Motsepe, and Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica visited Harmony's Elandsrand gold mine near Carletonville and assured everyone that mine security will be made a priority.
Then four people died at AngloGold Ashanti's Mponeng mine near Carletonville.
Last Sunday 23 illegal miners' bodies were recovered from St Helena Mine in Welkom in Free State.
The president has now called for all South African mines to be audited as the state mine safety watchdog is facing skills shortages, limited resources and high turnover. Last year 200 people died and 4000 people were injured in South African mines.
Policies and legislation must be implemented and the government must ensure that stakeholders are also involved and play their part.
Solomon PhetlaJohannesburg
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