Mine deaths in SA ‘lowest ever’ in 2024

The South African mining industry recorded 42 fatalities in 2024 marking the lowest ever number of fatalities in the history of mining in South Africa. This represents a 24% improvement, year-on-year, compared to 2023 when we had 55 fatalities.

There were no disaster type accidents reported in 2024 compared to 1 disaster type accident in 2023, where 13 mine employees lost their lives in a conveyance accident in the platinum sector. A disaster type accident is an accident where 5 or more mine workers lose their lives in a single accident. However, all accidents are undesirable and regrettable.

This record is as a result of concerted effort by all parties that are involved in providing and maintaining a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health and safety of employees and all those that may be directly affected by the activities of mining.

The continued collaboration and implementation of the necessary measures on health and safety throughout the year have demonstrated that significant improvements in results can be achieved. We, therefore, commend the collective efforts which have gotten us here, and urge all stakeholders to redouble our efforts to reach the goal of Zero Harm.

The fatalities per commodity in 2024 were as follows:
* 11 in the gold sector, compared to 20 in 2023, a year-on-year improvement of 45%.
* 19 in platinum, compared to 22 in 2023, a year-on-year improvement of 14%.
* 6 fatalities in the coal sector, compared to 7 in 2023, a year-on-year improvement of 14%.
* 6 fatalities for the category of other mines, compared to 6 in 2023, showing no improvement year-on-year.  This category of other mines includes diamonds, chrome, copper, zinc, sand, lime, granite, manganese, nickel, bricks, etc.

The most significant progress thus far is in the reduction of fatalities from fall of ground (FOG), machinery and shaft conveyance types of accidents.  FOG categories of accidents reduced by 13% from 15 in 2023 to 13 in 2024. The machinery category of accidents reduced by 67% from 6 in 2023 to 2 in 2024. There was no shaft conveyance related fatal accident during 2024 compared to 1 during 2023 where 13 mine employees lost their lives in the platinum sector.