• HEALTH AND SAFETY
SHARING LEARNINGS , LEADING PRACTICES , TECHNOLOGIES TO STEM FOG FATALITIES
Compiled by Sharyn Macnamara
Industry learnings and new technology sure to have a positive effect in averting FOG injuries and tragedy in mining in South Africa were shared for the good of all in the Fall of Ground Action Plan ( FOGAP ) Day of Learning that took place in March in Johannesburg .
The ‘ Day of Learning ’ concept has been driven by the Minerals Council of South Africa and industry associations and stakeholders for a while now as one of the efforts to help reach the end goal of Zero Harm in an always dangerous , ever-changing and people-centric industry impacted by nature and human fallibility every day . Mining Houses shared some of the leading practices and latest solutions that look to help manage the risk in FOG ( Falls of Ground ).
The stats and the facts Within a month , by the end of March 2023 , the industry reported four FOG-related fatalities compared to a record-low of six FOG-related deaths in the whole of 2022 . Japie Fullard , chair of the Minerals Council ’ s CEO Zero Harm Forum , said in his keynote address at the Day of Learning , “ However , the industry must assess whether the FOGAP could have prevented the latest fatalities after contributing to a 70 % reduction in deaths last year . For example , the industry ’ s focus is predominantly on netting and bolting hanging walls , but there are high-potential risk incidents that come from sidewalls collapsing . It ’ s something for teams to consider .
“ Our FOGAP framework is sound . We must implement it , measure it and continuously review it . FOGAP must be relentlessly implemented and run its course .” Technology plays a vital role in enabling miners to assess their work environment , identify risks and resolve them – and over and above this , it adds to safe efficiencies assisting miners to fast-track target reaching , which is sometimes something that causes the workforce to cut dangerous corners in the first place .
Fullard noted that the one thing that cannot be removed from the mining equation completely is the human-fallibility factor – adding risk and the unknown to an already complex and dynamic
The one thing that cannot be removed from the mining equation completely is the human-fallibility factor .
Supplied Minerals Council South Africa – @ Johnoseamedia-54 environment . The mining industry has spent hundreds of millions of rands in technology to try to remove employees from high-risk working areas , using roof bolters , scalers , underground illumination , and , at some operations , costly permanent netting – all core to FOGAP . Ever-evolving tech , however , can assist on many levels in improving safety and with this in mind , the industry shared three areas of innovation .
Hydro-drilling lessons from Implats Remote in-stope drilling using hydro power is undergoing a trial at Impala Rustenburg , using the Isidingo Drill as an integral part of the
The Fall of Ground Action Plan ( FOGAP ) Day of Learning that took place in March in Johannesburg .
30 • African Mining • July 2023 www . africanmining . co . za