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South Africa Cracks Down on Dangerous Mines
By B. Earth | December 10, 2008
South Africa’s parliament recently passed a mine safety law that holds company executives criminally responsible for deaths in the country’s gold mines. South African gold mines are among the deepest and most dangerous in the world, and have been responsible for tens of thousands of deaths in the last century. While safety conditions have improved somewhat in recent years, there are still about 220 deaths being reported annually.
Over the years, South Africa has depleted its surface resources, so miners are forced to dig ever deeper to find new sources of gold. Not only is this extensive mining detrimental to the environment, but it also creates very hazardous conditions for workers. Cave-ins and other deadly accidents are more likely to occur in deep mines, where the pressure on the rock ceiling is much greater.
It is hoped that this new degree of accountability will bring about a marked improvement in gold mine safety. In line with the increasing availability of recycled gold and fair trade gold from Oro Verde, we hope that South Africa’s initiative will bring more ethically obtained gold into the global market.
To read about South African gold mines and the new legislation.
Topics: Mining Issues, Uncategorized |