Global resources group Anglo American saw 49 fatalities at its managed operations worldwide during its 2004 financial year, up from 44 deaths in the group’s previous financial year, Anglo chairperson Mark Moody-Stuart said in the group’s 2004 annual report.
Anglo’s safety record is substantially worse that its two diversified global mining rivals with which it is usually compared.
For its 2004 year ending December 2004, Rio Tinto saw one fatality at one of its managed operations worldwide and BHP Billiton saw 17 fatalities at its operations during its 2004 year to ending June 2004.
Moody-Stuart said the increase in fatalities was a major disappointment.
“There was a welcome further improvement in the lost time injury frequency rate of 23%, but we are not prepared to be philosophical about the death of any employee or contractor,” he added.
The fatalities were made up of the deaths of 28 contractors and 21 employees.
“There is already an emphasis on improving safety at all sites, but it is evidently not enough,” Moody-Stuart said. – I-Net Bridge