Deaths in South African mines fall to 51, lowest in a century, says Minerals Council

17 July 2020 - 12:18
By Reuters
Mine deaths are at their lowest according to Minerals Council
Image: GALLO IMAGES Mine deaths are at their lowest according to Minerals Council

The death toll in South Africa's mines was 51 in 2019, down from 81 the previous year and the lowest since records began a century ago, the Minerals Council, which represents miners, said on Friday.

"In 2019, the mining industry recorded the lowest number of fatalities since record-keeping began more than a century ago," the council's chief executive, Roger Baxter, said.

A poor safety record in South African mines, which have some of the deepest in the world, has been a concern for investors.