safety on mines
feature
43
06.13
Shaft-sinking at a Western Limb platinum mine. Traditionally one of the most dangerous activities associated with mining, fatality
rates have reduced considerably in recent years (photo: Shaft Sinkers).
tems and standards was identified in the review as
being the underlying cause of a significant number
of incidents.
The focus on the ‘people’ component of the zero
harm initiative is being trialled with the enrolment of
employees in 2013 at Tumela mine with the focus on
leadership roles. The model, with built-in measure-
ment capability, will be rolled out further at the mine
and extended to other locations thereafter.
Amplats has set safety targets in 2013 as zero fa-
talities and a continued reduction of total injuries by
20 % to bring the LTIF rate from 1,15 to less than one.
Both Sibanye Gold and Amplats have extensive
wellness programmes aimed at managing diseases
such as TB and HIV and reducing incidences of work
environment conditions such as noise-induced hear-
ing loss.
Report by Blake Wilkins
Research on a safer working environment in the hard-rock mining
industry will henceforth be a very specific focus area at the Univer-
sity of Pretoria (UP).
This is the result of a donation of R4,7 million over three years by
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony) to UP in order
to establish a Chair in Rock Engineering and Numerical Modelling
in the mining industry. The Harmony chair will be housed in the
Department of Mining Engineering of the University’s Faculty of En-
gineering, Built Environment and Information Technology.
The aim of the chair will be to take part in leading research activi-
ties in the field of rock mechanics and numerical modelling in the
mining industry. The chair is also aimed at producing research and
learning outcomes to the benefit of Harmony, the University and the
country as a whole. There will be opportunities for the development
of products such as software to support numerical modelling.
Apart from research and studies in the above-mentioned fields,
efforts will also be made to establish a post-graduate qualifica-
tion in rock mechanics. Expanding under-graduate teaching in rock
mechanics and numerical modelling, specifically as a result of new
research being done, will also be an important function of the chair.
Another important function of the Harmony chair will be to ar-
range much needed liaison between academic institutions and the
industry in general, but specifically between Harmony and UP.
Harmony will further benefit from this donation through its in-
teraction with international leaders in the field of rock mechanics
and numerical modelling research, as well as the interaction with
under- and post-graduate students by way of student projects.
Graham Briggs, CEO of Harmony, said: “Ensuring the safety of
each of our mineworkers is Harmony’s top priority. Therefore, fur-
ther research and development to ensure even safer underground
conditions are of the utmost importance to us. It is a privilege to
have the University of Pretoria as partner in the pursuit of even
safer mining activities.
“It is of cardinal importance to our industry that South Africa
should be seen as the leader in the field of research, with specific
reference to the prevention of rock related deaths and injuries. We
trust that this initiative will strengthen the partnership between
academic institutions and the industry in hard-rock research ac-
tivities and will empower mining companies to effect further safety
improvements.”
H
armony/UP launch rock engineering initiative
