SA’s gold mining still the biggest killer

The number of fatalities at mines across the country has increased by at least 12% this year so far.

Last year, there were 68 fatalities across the mining sector, while 77 men and women have died in 2017 so far.

According to information from the department of mineral resources, the gold mining sector still accounts for the majority of mine deaths.

From January to early November, there were 36 fatalities in gold mining.

Platinum mines are the second-biggest culprit with 25 fatalities, while coal mines are third with seven deaths. The smaller mining subsectors have claimed nine lives.

Last year, gold mines had 29 fatalities in total.

Charmaine Russell, spokesperson for the Chamber of Mines, said the organisation was disappointed by the increase in mine deaths.

“A particular concern during 2017 has been the number of accidents related to seismic activity and subsequent fall-of-ground incidents. The chamber has noted that there has been an increase in the number of rockbursts, while the number of rockfalls decreased,” she said.

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