Mining Deaths
latest news & developments
Xolobeni activist receives death threat
In an environment where activism against mining is becoming increasingly deadly, Nonhle Mbuthuma’s life may be at risk
Transforming South African mines into ‘zero-harm tolerance’ zones for all workers
TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher
NUM, Amcu demand action after six miners killed in Limpopo blaze
The copper mine confirmed on Monday morning that six workers were killed after a blaze erupted in its underground operation in Phalaborwa
Sibanye-Stillwater boss ‘traumatised’ by surge in mine deaths
The death toll at Sibanye-Stillwater’s operations this year alone stands at more than 20
Death toll at Sibanye-Stillwater mine rises to four, one miner still missing
A fourth miner has been found dead at an abandoned working area of a mine owned by Sibanye-Stillwater while a fifth miner remains unaccounted for
Mine tragedies are not a numbers game
Death statistics are too crude a measure of the human tragedies that take place at South Africa’s mines.
Weekend 101: Putin, politics and looking pretty
Our weekly roundup includes the Harmony Gold mining tragedy, Sochi’s Olympic-sized woes, the Zille-Ramphele debacle, and a lesson on good looks.
Every death is one too many
Stringent laws (and vigilant unions) mean that going even deeper to get gold should not reverse the trend of improved safety in mining.
NUM leader shot dead in front of Lonmin mine
A National Union of Mineworkers leader has been shot dead and another wounded at a Lonmin platinum mine in South Africa, says the union.
NUM bleeds both workers and lives
A slow, sure, violent implosion appears to be building in South Africa’s largest and formerly most powerful union – the National Union of Mineworkers.
Five miners killed in fire at Driefontein mine
Five miners have died at Gold Fields’ Driefontein mine in Carletonville on the West Rand after a fire broke out on Saturday night.
China says over 2 400 dead in coal mines in 2010
A total of 2 433 people died in coal mine accidents in China last year, a senior work safety official said on Friday.
Chinese mine disaster kills 20
A coal mine accident in China has killed 20 miners and left another 17 missing underground, amid fresh concerns over the country’s lethal mines.
Mining deaths drop by 26%: Solidarity
Mining fatalities in the first nine months of 2010 dropped by about 26% compared to the same period in 2009, says Solidarity.
Miners strike at Northam over deaths
More than 5 000 workers at South Africa’s Northam Platinum went on a one-day strike on Thursday in a protest over the deaths of two miners.