Mining industry fatalities concerning

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEKSince 2014, the mining industry has not recorded a single fatality-free year, with one person having died last year.In his 2020 president’s report, outgoing Chamber of Mines president Zebra Kasete said the fatality occurred at Dundee Precious Metals in Tsumeb on 19 November. The report was delivered at the chamber’s 42nd annual general meeting.He said the incident occurred at the pugmill during a maintenance operation in the through with twin paddle shafts.“The deceased was pulled between rotating blades of the paddle feeder when the power was accidently switched on. The incident was due to non-compliance of lock-out and isolation procedures.”He said it is a worrying trend that there has not been a fatality-free year within the industry and that this should be of concern. Critical reflection needed Through the Chamber of Mines safety committee, the industry has been urged to critically reflect on these fatalities and what can be done to eliminate them, and why the collective objective of ‘zero harm’ has been a challenge to uphold, Kasete said.According to him, despite the concerning trend in fatalities, the industry performed well on the number of lost day injuries and disabling injuries in 2020.“The number of lost day injuries fell by 34%, and disabling injuries were reduced by 40%.”He said the occurrence of serious safety incidents and injuries among Chamber members has shown a consistent downward trend over the last seven years, which has improved substantively from 88 lost day injuries and 103 disabling injuries recorded in 2013 to 33 and 39 in 2020 respectively.“The Lost Day Injuries Frequency Rate and the Disabling Injuries Frequency Rate also reflects this positive, and declining trend, since 2013.”Kasete said these achievements are largely due to the concerted work of the safety committee, which has improved safety standards and methods of best practice through its peer review mechanism over the years. The committee will continue pursuing the ultimate goal of ‘zero harm’ to ensure a safe and secure environment for the mining industry, he said.

Mining industry fatalities concerning

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-17

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Mining industry fatalities concerning

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-17

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