Number of mine injuries decrease, but fatalities increase with more than 20% - Solidarity: Fatalities in platinum mines escalates with 140%

The number of injuries at mines as a result of accidents remarkably declined in the first four months of the year, trade union Solidarity said today. An amount of 711 injuries were reported in 2011 compared to 1 126 during the same period in 2010. Fatalities sharply increased with 21%.

According to provisional data from the Department of Mining, fatal accidents in South African mines claimed 47 lives between January and April 2011. This translates to more than 11 lives monthly.

According to advocate Paul Mardon, head of Solidarity's department of Occupational Health and Safety, the amount of injuries caused by mining accidents in the various types of mines declined between 11% and 53% during the first four months of 2011. "Although it is good news that less people are injured, it is evident from the statistics that the accidents which do take place are more serious, since the amount of fatalities, especially in platinum and gold mines increased drastically," Mardon said.

"Of the 47 fatal accidents during the first third of 2011, 22 took place in gold mines and 12 in platinum mines. This represents a shocking 140% increase of fatalities in platinum mines," Mardon explained.

Mardon said the mining industry remains a dangerous industry, and, as evident from the number of deaths, mistakes cost lives. "It is therefore extremely important that mining companies and mineworkers should always focus to do the correct thing in the correct way," Mardon said.

More than 80% of fatal accidents in the first four months of 2011 happened in the North West Province, Gauteng and the Free State. "Deaths at mines in the North West Province increased with 78%, from nine deaths during January to April 2010 to 16 deaths during the same period this year. Gauteng and the Free State respectively reported 12 and 10 fatalities," Mardon explained. "The amount of mining injuries in North West declined with 62%, from 639 accidents during the first third of 2010 to 245 during the same period in 2011."

"Solidarity's department specialising in occupational health and safety encourages the appointment of trade union representatives who exclusively focus on mining safety. The results are evident. The safety records for employers with such representatives are healthier than their competitors'," Mardon said.

Statement issued by Paul Mardon, Head: Occupational Health and Safety, Solidarity, May 11 2011

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