The South African mining industry’s largest trade union, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), has called for more compassion from the mining industry when it comes to mining-related deaths as it fears that the industry is in danger of losing its humanity.

NUM representative Peter Bailey reports that, if the industry continues on its current course, the number of mine deaths in 2011 could be significantly higher than the 2010 figure.

He points out that, in 2010, there were 75 mine deaths. To date in 2011, there have been 72 deaths, with five months left in the year and the end-of-year production bonus calculations looming.

Bailey reports recent studies show the dependence ratio in the South African mining industry is five dependants for every worker. This means that, in 2010, 375 people were left without a breadwinner.

“There is a culture of neutrality in the mining industry. And this is wrong, because it is our duty to make a noise about an unacceptable part of the industry,” says Bailey. “There is not enough time to mourn the deaths in the industry, where the offending companies take proper time-out from production to access where it is going wrong.”

He adds it is not the intention of the union to bring the industry to its knees with stayaway’s that last for weeks on end; rather, he suggests mines should take one day off from production for every death recorded.

“This, then, is the point of the one-day stayaway from production in October, when the union hopes to send a strong message to government of the unacceptability of the high death rate in the industry,” says Bailey.

Once again, the gold sector has recorded the highest fatality rate for first part of the year.

“To date in 2011, the gold sector has recorded 33 deaths. This is only slightly lower than the cumulative deaths for this sector for 2010. The platinum sector is also a high contributor to 2011 mining deaths, recording 20 deaths since the start of the year. This is on par with the total number of deaths in 2010, with seven months left in the year,” says Bailey.

He adds that those who remain silent are just as guilty as the companies. He notes that, finally, South Africa is in a position to make a difference.

“There have been calls to move away from certain mining industries, such as coal-mining, but the NUM disagrees with this. Rather, change the way that companies mine. Transform the industry into one that cares and, if that is done, then it can be said that it is a responsible industry,” says Bailey.

An easy way to resolve the situation would be to impose punitive measures on companies that, seemingly, openly disregard safety benchmarks set by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR). But, as Bailey points out, the NUM is not in a position to impose punitive measures on companies. This rests on the doorstep of the DMR.

“However, the NUM feels that these measures are insufficient, because the fines for each death that the DMR will impose on offending companies can be made up in two hours by companies. More significant steps need to be taken,” concludes Bailey.

Article Highlights:
-Total mine deaths in 2010 came to 75; to date, the industry has recorded 72 deaths in 2011.
-The dependency ratio in the mining industry is five dependants for every worker.