Chairperson of Anglo-American Board in RSA, Ms Nolitha Fakude;
Chief Executive of Anglo American, Mr. Mark Cutifani;
Senior Executives and Management team of Anglo American;
President of the NUM, Mr. Joseph Montisetse;
President of the AMCU, Mr. Joseph Mathunjwa;
COO of UASA, Mr. Shadrack Motloung;
General Secretary of Solidarity, Mr. Gideon Du Plessis;
All the union leadership and members represented today;
Representatives of the Mine Health and Safety Council;
Representatives of the Mineral Council South Africa;
Representatives of Department of Mineral Resources and Energy;
Members of the media;
Programme Director;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;
Good Morning
We have all gathered here today primarily because we care about the health and safety of our mineworkers.
As the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, we are honoured to be part of the 2nd Anglo American Tripartite Summit. We are equally excited that during the next two days of this Summit, stakeholders will have an opportunity reflect and have robust discussions on the importance and benefits of safe, healthy and responsible mining.
Anglo American’s Tripartite Summit takes place amid some challenging geopolitical developments. The ongoing trade war between the USA and China – two of the biggest global economies, has adverse consequences on our currencies and commodity prices. The danger of these continued tensions amongst our major trading partners could see a sustained negative impact on our economies, job losses and in turn a serious dent on our journey to Zero Harm.
On the other hand, we have witnessed how an adverse impact of high costs and unreliable supply of energy have on the mining sector. In this regard, we believe that lowering the cost of energy should be a major area of focus in order to enable the growth of the extractive sector like ours. Resource extraction requires vast amounts of energy and consequently, when electricity costs are high, sustaining investment in resource extraction becomes a challenge.
Despite all the above challenges, it is not all doom and gloom, in this regard we have just concluded and published our Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The Plan will lay the foundation for investment in power generation in the country. Such an investment should have the impact of lowering the cost of doing business in the country.
We have also been advised that since 2008, the Anglo-American Tripartite Health and Safety Initiative has successfully demonstrated that significant results on health and safety can be achieved through collaboration between various stakeholders in the mining industry.
Your vision of promoting co-operation and consultation on health and safety between the State, employers, employees and their representatives resonate well with the objectives of the Mine Health and Safety Act. It is therefore fitting that as we promote the general advancement of mining and efforts of putting South Africa on an inclusive economic growth trajectory, we dare not forget the health and safety of mine employees.
Health and safety of workers remain integral to the long-term sustainability of the mining sector. It is our firm view that mining is more than just about the rocks, but equally important are the mineworkers responsible for turning the investments by mining companies into wealth.
The Department remain greatly concerned with the continued loss of life of the workers in the mining sector. We cannot begin to comprehend the pain and suffering experienced by families of all mineworkers who have lost their loved ones in mine fatal accidents over the years. It is in this regard, that we continue to offer our solidarity and support, to help make the unbearable loss suffered, a little less agonizing to the affected families. The deceased mineworkers were not just faceless men and women who worked in our mines and hence their lives can therefore not be lost in vain.
Distinguished Guests, it is a fact that over the years, working with all mining companies and labour unions, we have made significant strides in improving health and safety for mine employees. This has led to the sustainable downward trend in occupational diseases, injuries and fatalities affecting mineworkers. As a Regulator of the sector, the implementation of the enforcement measures as contained in the Mine Health and Safety Act, particularly the provisions under section 54, remains a key priority. We cannot afford to become complacent because of the improvements we have been able to achieve over the years.
Collectively with our social partners we must continue working together to achieve the goal of a fatality-free mining industry.
The mining sector’s history is intimately linked with the racial power dynamics, which have driven our political landscape for the past four hundred years. Since 1994, we have consistently been developing and implementing legislation and policy which recognises – among others – that the sector must better reflect the demographics of the country. This sector will continue to have a powerful influence on the future of this country, and, for this reason, it is imperative that stakeholders continues with their efforts to redress the imbalances of the past and expedite transformation in the mining sector and promote job creation.
In 2016 the sector saw the lowest ever number of fatalities on record, at 73. Unfortunately, there was a notable regression in 2017, with 90 fatalities, largely in the gold sector. Fortunately, at the end of 2018 we began to see a turnaround, with 81 fatalities reported, translating to a 10% reduction in the number of fatalities year-on-year.
Although, over the recent years we have made modest strides on safety, it is unacceptable that the mining industry is still reporting a significantly high number of occupational diseases more specifically TB, silicosis and noise-induced hearing loss. The number of occupational diseases reported in 2017 and 2018 was 4483 and 3458, respectively. This correspond to a commendable 23% reduction. This is despite advances in technology, available leading practices and the immense research that has been done in this field.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we move towards the end of the year, it is critical that employers, employees and the department remain extra vigilant. Historical data on mine accidents has revealed that most of occupational fatalities reported on an annual basis occur during the last quarter of the calendar year. The increase in fatalities and injuries during this period is mainly attributed to production pressures associated with performance incentives; poor supervision; anxiety of the festive season; lack of focus and complacency.
All employers and employees are encouraged to work safely and apply zero tolerance on sub-standard work and conditions. Shift fatigue management systems must be implemented and be continuously monitored. In cases where arrangements are made for workers to work overtime, managers must ensure that proper supervision is carried out by all responsible mine personnel and measures are implemented to prevent accidents. Health and safety campaigns, visible felt leadership, zero tolerance to unsafe behaviour and extra vigilance by all workers are exceptionally vital during this period.
Inspectors from my Department will also intensify the monitoring and enforcement of the law through inspections and audits during the remaining period of the year. All mineworkers and supervisors are reminded that unsafe work practices always lead to undesirable circumstances.
There is also a need to ensure that the mineworkers have the knowledge, skills and support to exercise their rights to withdraw or refuse to work under dangerous environment.
The Department is still receiving complaints from workers who are intimidated or victimized whilst exercising their rights to withdraw or refuse to work under dangerous environment.
All employers should now walk the talk and we cannot continue to condone poor compliance with mine standards as this result in the loss of life.
Mineworkers are also urged not to risk their lives because of production bonuses. We need to collectively adopt the fundamental stance that if mines cannot mine safely then they should not mine at all until the necessary measures have been put in place to protect the lives of all mineworkers.
In conclusion, we welcome and once again value your efforts in ensuring that the goal of Zero Harm is ultimately achieved at all your operations. Your collaboration and spirit of genuine tripartism stands at the very centre of change and it will not happen without your commitment. I trust that I have given you food for thought and I sincerely thank you all for giving me this opportunity to raise these crucial issues. It is hoped that the Anglo-American Tripartite initiative will grow in leaps and bounds and still be around for many more to come.
As the industry continues its journey towards Zero Harm, and deals with other issues relating to the environment, health, wellness and social impact, it is critical to maintain and strengthen relationships and ensure that the vision amongst stakeholder representatives remains closely aligned.
I thank you.