By Thapelo Molefe
The South African mining industry has achieved a significant milestone, recording the lowest number of fatalities in its history.
According to the 2024 Mine Health and Safety Statistics released by Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, the industry saw a 24% improvement in fatalities, with 42 reported deaths in 2024 compared to 55 in 2023.
“We are encouraged that our efforts continue to show a sustainable downward trend in occupational diseases, injuries and fatalities,” Mantashe told reporters in Pretoria on Thursday.
“This record is a result of concerted effort by all parties involved in providing and maintaining a safe working environment.”
There were notable improvements in the gold, platinum and coal sectors.
The gold sector saw a year-on-year improvement of 45% from 20 to 11 deaths, platinum 14% from 22 to 19 fatalities, and coal 14% from 7 to 6 deaths.
The industry saw a drop of 17% in occupational diseases, from 2233 to 1864. This decline is attributed to significant progress made in the manganese, iron, chrome, coal, diamond, copper and platinum sectors.
In addition, the number of occupational injuries decreased from 2181 in 2023 to 1841 last year.
However, the minister expressed concern that most of these injuries were due to repeat accidents categorised as fall of ground, transportation, and mining and general types of accidents.
The minister also highlighted the need to address illegal mining, which he described as “a criminal activity and a war on the economy”.
The country lost an estimated R60 billion to illicit precious metal trade in 2024 alone.
Mantashe noted the importance of addressing non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, which exacerbated the burden of disease in the industry.
Furthermore, the minister reported on the progress made in promoting women in mining, with no fatal accidents involving female mineworkers in 2024. However, he said the number of accidents involving women remained high, with 185 injuries reported in 2024.
In other developments, Mantashe assured the nation that contingency plans were in place to ensure uninterrupted supply of jet fuel in the country, following issues at OR Tambo International Airport.
The department was working with stakeholders such as the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa, Airports Company South Africa and Transnet.
Mantashe emphasised the need for continued collaboration and tripartism to address the challenges facing the mining industry.
“Our collective efforts as social partners in the South African mining industry are proving that stakeholder collaboration is critical for us to attain the goal of zero harm,” he said.
The department said it had implemented various measures to improve health and safety in the mining industry. These included the submission of the draft Mine Health and Safety Amendment Bill to Parliament and the hosting of Mine Health and Safety Tripartite Summit last year.
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