THE MINERALS COUNCIL ’ S TEN BEST PRACTICES TO HELP ACHIEVE ZERO HARM
AFRICAN BUZZ •
THE MINERALS COUNCIL ’ S TEN BEST PRACTICES TO HELP ACHIEVE ZERO HARM
By the Minerals Council South Africa
As South Africa comes to the end of another year and moves into the New Year , safety on mines takes on a higher level of attention and focus as the industry continues to strive to improve safety performance despite challenges . 1
South African mining returned to its downward trajectory of the number of fatalities in 2022 after two consecutive years of worrying and unacceptable reverses during and in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic . In 2022 , the industry reported 49 fatalities , the lowest on record , compared to 74 deaths the year before . In 2019 , before the pandemic , the industry had 51 fatalities .
As at 4 December 2023 , 53 people had lost their lives on South Africa ’ s mines . On 27 November , the industry reported a devastating incident at Impala Rustenburg ’ s 11 shaft where ultimately 13 employees tragically lost their lives and 73 employees were injured . At the time , Japie Fullard , chair of the Minerals Council ’ s CEO Zero Harm Forum , said “ This is a tragic accident . It serves as a stark reminder that there can never be any lapse in focus and vigilance regarding safety on mines . It is the most important aspect of mining and the one that receives our undivided leadership attention . We call on all our members to reinvigorate their safety programmes and initiatives .”
Zero Harm is a target that can only be achieved through collaboration and co-operation between mining companies , organised labour and government . It is essential all stakeholders are aligned and working towards the same goal so that every employee goes home unharmed after every shift . The Minerals Council and its member companies and associations work closely with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy ( DMRE ) as well as organised labour to achieve the safest and healthiest working environments . It is not – and it cannot be – an acrimonious , blame-driven relationship because employees ’ lives are at stake .
At the end of 2021 , the Mineral Council Board developed eight interventions for its members to urgently implement to reverse the deterioration in safety . Those interventions bore results , showing that safety starts at the top and that responsibility sits with leadership to ensure their operations are safe . This is what we refer to as CEO-Ship .
And therein lies another key intervention . The adoption of leading best practices , be they local or offshore . The Minerals Council hosts a monthly hour-long CEO meeting where information of incidents , learnings and best practices are shared , putting safety at the forefront of the minds of top leadership .
There are ten best practices the Minerals Council encourages the mining industry to adopt : 1 . Invest in comprehensive training programmes : Implement extensive safety training programs that encompass not only basic safety protocols but also advanced techniques for handling machinery , emergency situations and risk management . The training should be practical and not just a tick-box exercise to say that it is completed .
2 . Embrace technological solutions : Adopt advanced technologies such as drones , sensors , and AI-driven analytics to monitor operations , identify potential hazards , and ensure timely intervention to prevent accidents . It is imperative that there is a solid understanding of how the technology works by all stakeholders and that proper training , change management and monitoring systems are in place to ensure that the technology is fully operational and effective over the time it is utilised .
3 . Establish a robust safety culture : Foster a culture of safety by encouraging open communication , regular safety meetings and the promotion of reporting any potential hazards without fear of retribution . Safety culture is transitionally adopted by an organisation and successful adoption requires deep-rooted buy-in from all personnel .
4 . Implement strict compliance regulations : Work closely with regulatory bodies to develop and enforce stringent safety regulations that prioritise the well-being of workers and the environment . Alignment between stakeholders is absolutely critical to ensure that regulatory details are well understood , and all efforts are made to attain compliance status .
5 . Prioritise health and wellness programmes : Offer comprehensive health and wellness initiatives to support the physical and mental well-being of workers , including regular health check-ups , access to counselling services , and fitness programs .
6 . Encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing : Facilitate collaborations and knowledge sharing among industry players to share best practices , lessons learned , and innovative safety solutions . The Minerals Council of South Africa has instituted safety initiatives that are geared towards sharing safety lessons and capturing safety related data .
7 . Promote sustainable mining practices : Incorporate sustainable mining practices that not only prioritise safety but also emphasise environmental conservation and the reduction of the industry ' s overall ecological footprint . It is critical that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are well acknowledged in the mining industry and that operations are aligned to these goals .
8 . Utilise Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ): Ensure the availability and proper usage of high-quality personal protective equipment for all workers to mitigate the risks associated with mining activities . The female mining workforce require the appropriate PPE that is suitable to their physiology for them to work comfortably .
9 . Regular safety audits and inspections : Conduct routine safety audits and inspections to identify potential risks , assess the effectiveness of existing safety measures , and implement necessary changes to enhance overall safety standards . All stakeholders should be involved and acknowledge the requirements of safety audits and inspections such that these activities are performed with a high degree of quality and pride .
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