The mining industry and government in South Africa have reconfirmed their determination to eradicate the loss of life in mines.

The news comes even though employees are already making a renewed effort to improve standards following the government's practice of shutting down non-complying operations during fatality investigations.

An influx of North American personnel into top South African mining companies has also helped firms improve their safety procedures.

However, Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica recently suggested that the fatality rate in South African mines was still a worry and he wanted further improvements to be made - a view later echoed by President Thabo Mbeki.

AngloGold Ashanti's Robbie Lazare believes an impact could be made if a better way to close mines when seismicity occurs is found.

"We should get better in managing seismicity and rockbursts through research and development," said Mr Lazare, who chairs the Chamber of Mines gold producers' committee, Mining Weekly reports.

Meanwhile, the DME mines inspectorate's David Msiza said that stakeholders need to look at ways of helping inspectors in dealing with health and safety.

Source:

Can South Africa stop mine deaths? 01/02/08
http://www.miningweekly.co.za/article.php?a_id=125076

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