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Mining Weekly reports that on 10 May the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) commemorated the 27-year anniversary of the Vaal Reefs disaster that resulted in 104 fatalities.
As one of the deadliest events in the history of SA mining, the Vaal Reefs mine accident in 1995 marked a turning point for the mining industry and resulted in the establishment of the Leon Commission of Inquiry into the mining industry. At Vaal Reefs near Orkney in North West, an underground train careered into the cables of a two-floor shaft elevator cage that was transporting workers up to surface after their shift. The train entered a tunnel that was supposed to be closed, before losing control and causing a collision that sent the cage plunging downwards in a free fall. The accident was reportedly a result of human error and there had been no safety precaution in place to prevent the train from entering the shaft. The commission ultimately recommended a number of reforms within the sector, which included the drafting of the Mine Health and Safety Act to provide a comprehensive legal framework for creating a healthy and safe working environment. The NUM believes the industry should continue to strive for zero harm and ensure every worker returns home safe.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly
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