The South African mining industry recorded only 42 fatalities in 2024, the lowest ever recorded. This record achievement represented an improvement of 24% over the 55 fatalities recorded in 2023 and outpaced the previous record of 45 fatalities in 2022.

In addition, no disaster-type incidents were recorded in 2024, compared with one disaster-type accident which occurred in 2023, where 13 mine employees lost their lives in a conveyance accident in the platinum group metals (PGM) sector. A disaster-type accident is defined as one where five or more mineworkers lose their lives in a single incident.

According to Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, the record achievement is the result of a concerted effort by all parties involved in providing and maintaining a safe working environment within the mining industry.

"This collaboration and the implementation of necessary measures on health and safety throughout the year have demonstrated that significant improvements in results can be achieved. We, therefore, commend the collective efforts which have gotten us here and urge all stakeholders to redouble our efforts to reach the goal of zero harm," he said on January 23.

In 2024, 11 fatalities were recorded in the gold sector, compared with 20 in 2023. This represents a year-on-year improvement of 45%.

The PGM industry recorded 19 fatalities in 2024, compared with 22 in 2023. This year-on-year improvement of 14% was the result of improved safety measures being implemented in the sector.

In the coal sector, six fatalities were recorded in 2024, down from seven in 2023, representing a year-on-year improvement of 14%.

In other mining categories, six fatalities were recorded in 2024, which was on par with the six recorded in 2023, showing no improvement year-on-year. This category included mining operations in the diamond, chrome, copper, zinc, sand, lime, granite, manganese, nickel and brick-making sectors, among others.

Mantashe noted that the most significant progress so far was in the reduction of fatalities from fall-of-ground (FoG) incidents, machinery and shaft conveyance types of accidents.

FoG categories of accidents reduced by 13%, from 15 in 2023 to 13 in 2024. In the machinery category, a 67% reduction was recorded, from six in 2023 to only two in 2024.

Providently, there were no shaft conveyance-related fatal accidents during 2024, compared with the one significant incident in 2023 that claimed the lives of 13 mineworkers

"As part of addressing transportation-related accidents in mines, we urge all stakeholders to support and implement collision avoidance systems brought about by the introduction of new regulations on trackless mobile machinery. The current overall improvement in the safety performance of all the commodities in the mining sector is encouraging. However, we must caution the industry that complacency can be dangerous and must, therefore, be avoided at all costs," Mantashe said.

In terms of occupational injuries, 10 041 occupational injuries were reported in 2024, down from 12 181 reported in 2023. This translated to a 16% improvement year-on-year.

"Of great concern to us is that most of these injuries are mainly because of repeat accidents, categorised as FoG, transportation, mining, and general types of accidents. We, therefore, urge the employers and labour to be explicit about their respective roles and programmes for the provision and maintenance of a safe working environment that is free of risks," the Minister said.

Occupational diseases also decreased by 17%, from 2 233 in 2022 to 1 864 cases in 2023. Much of this progress was attributed to the manganese, iron, chrome, coal, diamond, copper, and platinum sectors.

There was a notable decrease in diseases such as silicosis, pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), coal workers' pneumoconiosis and other diseases.

In 2023, the gold sector reported the highest number of occupational diseases for both silicosis and pulmonary TB cases, whereas the PGM sector reported the highest number of noise-induced hearing loss cases.

Chief Inspector of Mines David Mzisa pointed out that the majority of safety incidents occurred between 10:00 and 12:00. He said this was likely attributable to fatigue and diet, although further investigations would be carried out to determine the cause of this phenomenon so that solutions could be found with the respective industry stakeholders.

Mantashe joked that, if accidents were most likely to happen during these times, perhaps it was necessary for mines to implement a mandatory break between 10:00 and 12:00.

However, the phenomenon was noted with concern since this period is one of peak activity where ample supervision is supposed to be present.

Mzisa noted that, while improvements had been made in terms of health and safety in South African mines, there remained an alarming number of contraventions detected by mine inspectors.

He pointed out that a total of 8 865 inspections and audits were conducted during 2023/24 reporting period to promote and ensure compliance with the legal provisions.

However, Section 54 instructions were issued on 4 443 transgressions, with 2 222 Section 55 instructions issued during this period. Section 54 transgressions could lead directly to a loss of life.

“Our worry is the magnitude of these transgressions. If we had not revealed them, even 10% to 20% of them, they might have led to serious accidents,” he noted.

Msiza implored the mining sector to take greater care in meeting health and safety regulations to continue working towards a zero-harm goal, rather than relying on the limited number of qualified inspectors to point out issues.