Miningmx reports that the Department of Minerals and Energy (DMRE) will be increasing safety audits at mines across the country during the fourth quarter in order to avoid an increase in the year-end accident and fatality rate.  

In a letter signed off by the mining inspectorate, the DMRE said “inspectors will intensify the monitoring and evaluation of the mine health and safety management systems through inspections and audits during the remaining period of the year”.  It added that safety incidents normally peaked in the final quarter of the year owing to “poor supervision, anxiety associated with the festive season … production pressures and a lack of focus and complacency”.  Commenting last week on another matter, mines minister Gwede Mantashe said the mineral resources department was finalising its new structure in terms of its merger with the department of energy.  “We haven’t yet finalised a new structure.  We had 15 branches in two departments.  The proposal is that we want to reduce this to eight branches,” he indicated.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David McKay at Miningmx

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page