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Events and Exhibitions
FROM DUST TO DATA: 80 YEARS OF MINE VENTILATION PROGRESS IN SA
By Eamonn Ryan
At the Mine Ventilation Society of Southern Africa( MVSSA) 2025 annual conference which coincided with its 80th anniversary, Dr Thuthula Balfour( a medical doctor) delivered a powerful keynote address, urging attendees to learn from the past, capitalise on the present and prepare for the future.
Her address underscored the profound impact of mine ventilation and occupational hygiene on miner health and safety, a discipline that has evolved from rudimentary dust control to sophisticated environmental engineering.
The genesis of this vital profession is deeply rooted in South Africa ' s gold mining history. Early 20th-century reports revealed a grim reality, with 85 out of every 1 000 rock drillers dying from miners ' phthisis between 1899 and 1902( and a quarter showing symptoms). This crisis spurred calls for adequate underground ventilation, leading to pioneering efforts in dust measurement. Initial readings of 400 milligrams per cubic metre after blasting were dramatically reduced to 5.4 milligrams per cubic metre by 1913 through compulsory water use. A key moment came in 1917 with the mandatory appointment of dust inspectors, making South Africa the first country to have dedicated specialists protecting workers from mining hazards. These early efforts culminated in the establishment of the MVSSA in 1944.
" Today, the profession holds a highly recognised role in preventing occupational diseases. South Africa now produces comprehensive reports on occupational hygiene and diseases, tracking progress over time. The statistics point to a remarkable improvement: Tuberculosis rates have plummeted from 5 800
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RACA Journal I September 2025 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za