Mining Weekly reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has expressed concern about the number of fatalities occurring in the mining industry, after an employee at Exxaro’s Matla colliery was killed in a conveyor belt-related incident on Tuesday.  

"We are concerned that these fatalities are increasing unnecessarily.  There were 13 fatal accidents last year January to February 17, and this year we are already sitting at 18,” said NUM health and safety secretary Eric Gcilitshana.  The union demanded an immediate, thorough investigation by both the departments of labour and mineral resources to establish the causes of these accidents, calling for strong disciplinary action against anyone found to have been negligent.

• Read this report in full at Mining Weekly
• Read the NUM’s press statement in this regard at Cosatu Today

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