Mining safety worsens

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK



Despite some impressive individual member achievements, overall safety at Namibia's mines declined last year.

This is according to Chamber of Mines president Zebra Kasete, who said the number of lost day injuries and disabling injuries increased from 42 in 2018 to 50 last year and from 58 in 2018 to 65 last year, respectively.

According to Kasete, the frequency rates for both types of injuries also deteriorated in 2019, which confirms the weaker safety performance.

This was announced by Kasete at the chamber's 41st annual general meeting held last week, during which he provided a detailed account of the chamber's activities, policy and regulatory developments, as well as mining sector performance and highlights.



Ohorongo death

Kasete mentioned an incident which occurred at Ohorongo Cement on 29 November 2019 during a maintenance operation of a conveyor belt. When the operation was completed, a contractor employee was still on the conveyor belt. The employee suffered severe internal injuries, which resulted in his death.

Kasete said the Chamber of Mines Safety Committee, through its peer review mechanism, continues its work of ensuring a safe and healthy environment of world-class standard for mining employees.

“Various improvements were implemented in 2019 to strengthen the peer review process, as well as ongoing efforts to support national road safety initiatives.”