A major South African trade union claimed today (23rd December) that worker deaths in the country's mines have fallen by 23 per cent so far this year.

The country, which is the largest platinum producer in the world, has been blighted by miner fatalities in recent years, owing to poor maintenance and technology, plus human errors.

Indeed, the situation has deteriorated on occasion to such an extent that closures have been necessary, thus further affecting production this year when combined with the Eskom power crisis.

However, Solidarity has claimed that progress has been made in 2008, with 168 deaths recorded to date, compared to the figure of 221 recorded for the whole of 2007.

Union spokesman Jaco Kleynhans said: "If the lower death toll this year could be repeated in the next few years, South African mines would...be able to compete with North American and Australian mines by 2013 when it comes to safety."

Mr Kleynhans' comments come after it was confirmed last month that South African mines will be subject to strict new penalties for worker deaths and that company chief executives will be made criminally liable for them.

Other mine unions have urged workers at mines where deaths have occurred to boycott their jobs for a day of mourning, for which they believe they should be fully paid.

Source:

S.Africa mine deaths fall 23 percent in 2008: union (23/12/08)

http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnJOE4BM07S.html