Miningmx reports that mining fatalities in SA increased in 2020 year-on-year with the number of multiple fatalities per accident also rising.  

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Minister Gwede mantashe indicated in a statement:  “Though we didn’t have a disaster this year, more worrying to us is the significant number of multiple fatalities in 38 fatal accidents compared to 42 last year.”  With a month left to run, fatalities totalled 52 this year, compared to 51 fatalities in 2019.  However, last year’s number represented a 37% improvement on 2018.  The latest major safety event in SA’s mining sector was a “geotechnical incident” at the Gamsberg zinc mine in the Northern Cape on 17 November, in which one miner died, eight others were returned to safety and one was still being sought.  Mantashe’s comments followed a ‘Principals’ meeting consisting of representatives from the DMRE, the labour movement and producers.  Mantashe commented:  “There is a trend to rush to increase production, with people dying in the process.  We must prioritise the health and safety of persons at the mines at all times.  We must not see each other as enemies”.

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

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