Fatalities Linked to High-Energy Mining Risk
By Mpho Moloi
Johannesburg, Gauteng –
South Africa’s mining industry has made big strides in cutting down on deaths and injuries, hitting a record low of 42 fatalities in 2024, but experts like mining engineer Dr Adwoa Boaduo warn that many of these losses still come from high-energy risks like rock falls and accidents with heavy machinery.
With calls growing for new technologies to step in and save lives, this push for smarter safety measures could change the game for workers underground, helping prevent tragedies that have long plagued one of the country’s key economic drivers.
Record Low Fatalities Mark a Milestone
The mining sector in South Africa saw just 42 deaths in 2024, the lowest number ever recorded, showing a 24% drop from the 55 fatalities in 2023.
This improvement comes from teamwork between companies, workers, and government groups who share the goal of zero harm.
Injuries also fell by 16%, down to 1,841 from 2,181 the year before, proving that ongoing efforts to make mines safer are paying off.
These wins follow a tough history where falls of ground and machinery mishaps have been top killers.
Dr Adwoa Boaduo, a seasoned mining engineer with over 14 years in safety and geotechnical work, points out that most fatalities tie to what she calls high-energy risks.
These include rocks tumbling in underground spots or people getting too close to big equipment, where one wrong move can turn deadly.
Boaduo stresses that while numbers are down, the industry cannot rest – every life lost is one too many, and new ways are needed to spot dangers before they strike.
This progress builds on years of pushes for better health and safety, with the Minerals Council South Africa leading programs that use tech, strong risk checks, and sharing best ways to work.
The drop in deaths shows these steps work, but Boaduo and others say the focus must stay sharp, especially as mines dig deeper and face tougher conditions.
High-Energy Risks: The Persistent Dangers Underground
High-energy risks remain a big threat in South African mines, where sudden rock falls or clashes with machinery cause most harm.
In underground gold and platinum digs, unstable ground can give way without warning, burying workers or causing injuries that last a lifetime.
Machinery accidents happen when people interact with heavy gear like loaders or drills, often due to poor visibility or quick moves in tight spaces.
Boaduo explains that these risks come from the intense energy in mining – from blasts that loosen rock to the power of machines that move tons.
Without proper supports or warnings, disasters strike fast. Past years saw similar patterns: in 2023, 74 deaths tied mostly to these causes, and even with 2024’s low, the industry knows one slip can reverse gains.
To fight this, companies like Anglo American Platinum have teamed up with tech firms for new tools. One standout is a hand-held radar from Geobotica, designed to spot unstable rock before it falls.
Drawing from radars that cut landslides in open pits to zero, this underground version aims to warn workers in time to clear out.
Boaduo calls for more such innovations, saying tech can turn reactive safety – fixing after harm – into proactive steps that save lives upfront.
New Technologies Driving Safety Reforms
The call for tech-driven changes grows louder as South Africa’s mines look to cut risks further. Boaduo highlights how new tools like radars, robots, and sensors can spot dangers early.
For example, the ‘Monster’ robot, unveiled by South African scientists in 2018, rolls into risky areas to check for threats without putting people in harm’s way.
It uses cameras and sensors to assess ground stability, helping teams decide safe moves.
Other advances include AI systems that predict falls by tracking tiny shifts in rock, or drones that map underground spaces for better planning.
In surface mines, tech has slashed deaths from slopes giving way, and Boaduo urges the same push below ground.
Companies like Rosond, where she now heads safety, focus on these tools to build a culture where zero harm is the norm.
But tech alone is not enough – Boaduo stresses training workers to use it right and sharing knowledge across mines. The Minerals Council backs this with programs that adopt leading practices and closer ties with all involved.
With mining adding R1.1 trillion to the economy in 2023 and employing over 500,000, these reforms could protect jobs while cutting costs from accidents, which run into billions each year.
Challenges and the Road to Zero Harm
Even with progress, hurdles remain. Some mines lag in adopting tech due to high costs or old ways, while artisanal digs – often illegal – face even bigger risks without any tools.
Boaduo warns that without a new “information ecology” – better ways to share data on dangers – lower fatalities do not mean safer mines overall. Hidden risks like poor ventilation or unstable ground still lurk, needing constant watches.
Government rules push for collision avoidance on mobile gear and stronger risk checks, but rollout takes time. The 2024 low came from these efforts, but Boaduo calls for redoubled work to hit zero.
Lessons from past disasters, like cave-ins or gas blasts, guide new guidelines that blend tech with human care.
For families of lost workers, these stats bring mixed feelings – joy at fewer deaths, but grief for those gone.
Support groups urge faster payouts and better care for survivors, while unions fight for safer shifts and fair pay that values lives.
Future Outlook for South African Mining Safety
As the industry eyes 2025, Boaduo’s call for tech reforms offers a path forward.
With global demand for South Africa’s minerals rising in green energy, safe mines mean steady jobs and growth. Investments in tools like underground radars or predictive AI could set examples for Africa, where mining risks run high.
The road to zero harm demands all hands – from bosses funding tech to workers spotting risks early. Boaduo’s work at Rosond and beyond shows how experts lead the charge, turning dangers into data that saves lives.
As South Africa digs deeper, these reforms could make mining not just a job, but a safe way to build the nation’s future.
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