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African mining industry still faced with challenges
The mining representative body, the Chamber of Mines (CoM) of South Africa, which will be attending this year’s Mining Indaba, has identified four significant challenges still encountered in the mining industry。
Dlamini says that health and safety,skills shortages and environmental management are the most significant challenges that have to be addressed.
The recent increase in mine accidents is a significant concern to the industry, says Dlamini. These are mainly caused by ground falls, which account for most of the accidents, but transport and machinery accidents are also increasing.
Although the CoM has launched a study on seismicity to better manage seismicity-related risks, it has also suggested that a research programme in transport and machinery be undertaken through the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC), as the use of mechanisation is increasing. The MHSC and the chamber have set targets to improve safety records and reach a zero-fatality rate between 2007 and 2013.
Safety performance still requires improvement and a high-level indus- try task team was recently established to deal with safety challenges. Over the last decade, however, the industry has reduced its fatality rate by more than one-half.
HIV/Aids is another identified challenge for the mining industry. The 2007 to 2011 National Strategic Plan has established targets to be reached in the areas of prevention, treatment, care and support, human and legal rights, as well as the monitoring, research and surveillance of mineworkers at high risk of contracting HIV/Aids.
Dlamini mentions that pre- mature loss of experienced and skilled employees, higher costs of recruitment, lower productivity, and increasing costs relating to health funding and death benefits are causes of concern in the indus- try.
The skills shortage in engineering and insufficient investment infrastructure contribute to the industry’s safety performance and must be addressed.
Financial provision for mine closure, the effects of climate change and the need for preserving biodiversity, such as water resource management, are important facets that must be adequately managed, notes Dlamini.
Although some of the identi- fied challenges will be raised, no speaker from the chamber will be presenting at this year’s Mining Indaba. 上一頁 [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] 下一頁 |
