A task team has been appointed to improve the state of South Africa’s mines, the Chamber of Mines said on Tuesday.
”As our gold mines are relatively old, more work needs to be done in order to achieve our goal of reaching international standards in 2013,” said the chamber’s senior executive, Frans Barker, in Johannesburg.
He was speaking ahead of a three-day conference in Sandton during which the global mining and metals industry would focus on health and safety issues.
Westcom spokesperson Claudia Mpepa said: ”More than 300 executives from various companies are expected to showcase their innovations in health and safety management.”
The conference was being hosted by the International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM), an organisation that represents the global mining and metals industry.
ICMM president Paul Mitchell said the conference was designed to improve performance and to share experiences within the industry.
”The delegates will be able to engage on a range of themes, such as leadership and technology, [which are] required to build and maintain a safety and health culture in the mining and metals sector.”
Among the ICMM’s corporate members are AngloGold Ashanti, Newmont and Anglo American. Its association members include the South African Chamber of Mines, Euromines and the International Copper Association. — Sapa