African Mining May 2025 | Page 7

' EX-MINEWORKERS OCCUPATIONAL LUNG DISEASE GUIDE ' LAUNCHED
FRIGAIR 2025 TO SHOWCASE INNOVATION SHAPING THE HERVAC LANDSCAPE
AFRICAN BUZZ •
' EX-MINEWORKERS OCCUPATIONAL LUNG DISEASE GUIDE ' LAUNCHED
Online versions of the booklet can be found here: ex-mineworkers-occupational-lung-disease-old-guide
Within its commitment to improving the lives of mineworkers in South Africa, the Minerals Council launched its Ex- Mineworkers Occupational Lung Disease( OLD) Guide in multiple languages on 24 March 2025 to mark World TB Day.
The Minerals Council’ s multi-party Masoyise Health Programme launched the guide in English, isiXhosa, Sesotho and Portuguese to assist former mineworkers across the Southern African Development Community( SADC) in understanding their healthcare rights, compensation benefits and how to contact support structures for lung diseases incurred while working on South African mines.
The council and its partners recognise the challenges exmineworkers face in accessing healthcare and support services after employment. To address this, they collectively developed the guide, which provides critical information on common occupational diseases and illnesses that may affect miners during and after their careers.
The guide focuses on OLDs, but it also includes contacts for Rand Mutual Assurance for other occupational injuries or diseases, as well as the Mineworkers Provident Fund regarding financial benefits.
The online guide will be distributed to countries that provided labour for South African mines as well as local labour-sending areas.
The 54-page guide defines occupational lung diseases, including silicosis, tuberculosis( TB), coal workers pneumoconiosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( emphysema) and asbestosis. It explains that every exmineworker has the right to receive a free medical examination every two years at Department of Health hospitals in all nine South African provinces that perform Benefit Medical Examinations or at the mine hospitals or clinics of the mining company at which they are or were employed.
Included in the guide is an explanation of the Tshiamiso Trust, which was constituted in 2020, to ensure all eligible current and former mineworkers across southern Africa who have permanent lung impairment due to silicosis or work-related TB – or their dependents – are compensated.
Source: supplied by Minerals Council South Africa
Supplied by Frigair Exhibition 2025
FRIGAIR 2025 TO SHOWCASE INNOVATION SHAPING THE HERVAC LANDSCAPE
The event will include exciting SAIRAC workshops and seminars with top-tier insights presented by industry-leading speakers.
The Frigair Exhibition 2025 will showcase leading companies and their innovation in the heating, energy, refrigeration, ventilation and air conditioning( HERVAC) sector from 4-6 June 2025 at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand.
The South African Institute of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning’ s( SAIRAC) flagship event is organised by IMD Conferences, Exhibitions and Workshops in partnership with Specialised Exhibitions – a division of Montgomery Group.
The HERVAC sector has seen rapid advancements in technology and techniques in recent years – driven by the growing focus on indoor air quality, energy efficiency and the urgent global push to address climate change. As a key contributor to progress in energy use and refrigerant innovation, the sector continues to play a vital role in determining a more sustainable future.
Skills Development Hub A highlight of FRIGAIR 2025 will be the FRIGAIR Skills Development Hub, where six contestants will compete head-to-head in challenges involving electrical testing and wiring, hand tools, refrigeration tubing, installation and commissioning. Visitors will have the opportunity to witness the competitors in action, from a safe distance.
SAIRAC seminars: sustainability, regulation, innovation The event will also include exciting SAIRAC workshops and seminars with top-tier insights presented by industry-leading speakers. The topics will be themed with the first day focussing on energy and engineering. While refrigeration technology has brought numerous benefits, it also has environmental implications that cannot be overlooked. The production and use of refrigerants, the energy consumption of cooling systems, and the disposal of refrigeration equipment all contribute to environmental challenges. Day two will
www. africanmining. co. za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • May 2025 • 5