The overall number of deaths in the South African mining industry has declined over the past decades, but the greatest impact of mining accidents is noticed amongst the family members and colleagues left behind after a mine worker lost his or her life.
South Africa is known for its diverse wealth of minerals, but even better known for a very well-regulated mining industry. The Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate continuously enforce legislation and national mining standards to reduce mining deaths and occupational injuries.
Between 1984 and 2005, more than 11 000 mine workers died in South Africa. In 2003, the death toll from mining accidents was approximately 270 fatalities and an agreement was reached to reduce mining fatalities by 20% per annum.
The year 2010 was an achievement for the South African mining industry with a 24% reduction year-on-year since the 2003 agreement. Figures released annually confirms that the actual fatalities continued to decline even more.
Since the first accidents were reported in 1904, many mine workers in the South African mining industry - and the world - have lost their lives because of mining accidents.
In terms of Chapter 23 of the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act 29 of 1996), as amended, employers must report accidents aand dangerous occurence that occur at a mine, to the respective Regional Principal Inspectors of Mines
The collection of detailed data on each mining accident in South Africa is used for research to improve the safety of workers in South African mines
The South African Mines Reportable Accidents Statistical System or SAMRASS database was established in 1988 after the Department of Mineral Resources revisited the entire system of accident reporting and record-keeping.
In terms of Chapter 23 of the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act 29 of 1996), as amended, employers must report accidents and dangerous occurrences at a mine to the Regional Principal Inspector of Mines. The data is captured onto the South African Mines Reportable Accidents Statistical System or SAMRASS database from which the information is analysed.
The correct description of accidents or dangerous occurrences is of the utmost importance if the statistics produced from these reports, are to be meaningful. It is therefore important to:
For more information, contact us at mhsi@dmr.gov.za.
The worst mining disasters in the South African mining industry are listed below:
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2018: April
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2018: February
2018: January
2017: December
2017: November
2017: October
2017: September
2017: August
2017: July
2017: June
2017: May
2017: April
2017: March
2017: February
2017: January
SAMRASS Code Book for Mines
SAMRASS 1: Accident or dangerous occurrence report form
SAMRASS 2: Injury report form
SAMRASS 3: Addendum on rockburst and fall of ground accidents
SAMRASS 4: 1-13 day injuries
SAMRASS 5: Addendum on explosives
SAMRASS 6: Addendum on fires
SAMRASS 7: Addendum on subsidences in coal mines
SAMRASS 8: Addendum on heat stroke/heat exhaustion
SAMRASS 9: Report on date resumed work