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June 2016
MODERN MINING
57
PRODUCT News
The latest Department of Mineral Resources stats have revealed that
the South African mining industry recorded a record-low 77 fatalities
in 2015 – down 8 % on the previous year – setting the industry on
course to attaining its ‘Zero Harm’ objectives. MSA Africa says it places
a high priority on ensuring that these objectives become a reality.
Statistics revealed that the most fatalities were recorded in gold
mines, where 33 miners lost their lives. Platinum recorded 22 fatalities
and coal a total of five. Other mines recorded a combined fatalities
total of 17. MSA Africa Director Colin Oliver says that the gold and
platinum sectors experience considerably higher death rates, due to
the fact that the mines are located in deep hard rock areas.
“South Africa features the deepest underground gold mines in the
world, which stretch down as far as 4 000 m beneath the surface. At
this depth, greater risks are naturally inherent. Examples are rock col-
lapse, explosive gas pockets, toxic gas, fire and underground water,
to name a few. Reliable safety equipment is therefore of the utmost
importance, and more operations are realising this,” he notes.
Oliver highlights the fact that the South African mining sec-
tor’s health and safety record ranks among the best in the world,
and he attributes the latest drop in fatalities to closer co-operation
between the government, mines and trade unions, as well as con-
tinual improvements made to safety products used in the industry.
“Continual product research and development is at the core of MSA
Africa’s strategy. As a result, we have been instrumental in introducing
new safety technologies.”
MSA Africa safety products that are used extensively in the local
mining sector include the Altair 4X Mining multigas detector, report-
edly the only SABS-approved instrument of its kind. It boasts a sensor
response and clear time of less than 15 seconds and can detect up to
four gases at any given time.
Another innovative MSA Africa mining safety product is the
Luminator cap lamp, which sets itself apart from all other cap lamps in
the world as it enhances the miner’s ability to more effectively detect
cracks on hanging walls, which usually represent signs of ground falls
and roof collapse.
For head protection, MSA Africa offers miners its stylish range of
patented V-Gard hardhats, which provide high comfort and perfor-
mance levels. MSA Africa also boasts a comprehensive range of face
masks and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
MSA Africa, tel (+27 11) 610-2600
Product R&D at the core
of MSA Africa’s strategy
The Altair 4X can detect up to four gases at any given time.