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Mining industry failed to prepare for 'winter' - Zwane

Cape Town – The mining industry’s lack of planning for the low demand of commodities was a failure that should not repeat itself for the sake of the highly affected workers, Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane said on Monday.

Speaking at the opening of the Investing in African Mining Indaba at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Zwane said job losses in the industry were a major concern.

“The mining industry is in its winter season, which some have characterised as a crisis,” he said.

“During the summer season as an industry, we failed ourselves to prepare for this season.

“What lessons can we learn to ensure that when we move into the next season, the workers do not remain the worst ones affected?”

Concerned by the recent spate of mining fatalities, Zwane criticised mining companies who did not put enough focus on safety.

While he said the industry experienced the lowest number of fatalities in 15 years in 2015, companies should not be complacent.

He named and praised those companies who experienced no fatalities in 2015, but warned those not named: “Much more still needs to be done to ensure (your companies) have zero fatalities.”

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