Unrelenting Scourge

Mining fatalities in South Africa rise for first time in decade

For the first time in almost a decade, more people are dying in South African mines, the world’s deepest and among the most dangerous.

There were 81 fatalities from January to November, according to data from the Chamber of Mines, an industry lobby group.

Harmony Gold Mining reported a death at its Tshepong mine in early December, bringing the total to 82. That is the first increase in nine years, and, compared with 73 in 2016, the lowest on record.

South Africa has gone from being by far the deadliest place to work in a mine to ranking near rivals including the US and Canada for fatality rates. But, while conditions have improved in the decades since whites-only rule ended in 1994 – a year in which 484 workers died – investments to improve safety are tailing off as miners find their profit margins squeezed, says Charmane Russell, a spokesperson for the chamber.

“This is particularly disappointing, given the improvements we have seen over the past two decades,” Russell says.