BCL accidents worry Ditshwanelo
Correspondent | Tuesday July 12, 2016 14:50
DITSHWANELO is concerned with the rate at which accidents reportedly occur at the BCL copper mine. On June 21, 2016, a mine worker was seriously injured when an ore-containing wall fell on him. On May 29, 2016, four mine workers were killed and six others critically injured in an accident at the mine.
The accident occurred when 10 mine workers were travelling underground in a mine shaft elevator.
In 2015, two fatalities were recorded following an explosion subsequent to a misfiring which occurred during a blast. In 2014, three fatalities were recorded. In 2013, one fatality was recorded.
According to the Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) Secretary General, Bob Malele, mines have safety system in place, however, supervisors tend to ignore them. “Even when workers complain that the machines are not in good condition, they are asked if they want to continue working or not” he said.
DITSHWANELO recognises that mining is a risky business due to the use of explosives. However, the frequency of these accidents raises questions about the safety standards and procedures at the facility. The mining company has a duty to make sure its employees operate in a safe and secure environment. Failure to protect mineworkers could leave them exposed to, for instance, occupational diseases.
DITSHWANELO has been working with ex-miners, their widows and dependent children through the Silicosis Gold Mining Compensation Project. The project, started in 2012, has the ultimate goal of obtaining compensation on behalf of Batswana ex-miners who contracted or died from silicosis and other occupational diseases whilst working in apartheid South Africa gold mines.
In Botswana, the laws relating to safety standards in mines are very clear. Section 6(2) of the Mine, Quarries, Works and Machinery Act states that if a mine is considered to likely cause bodily harm or be injurious to health upon inspection, the inspector is required to write the necessary instructions to the manager of the mine. Such instructions may include an order suspending or closing operations at the mine.
DITSHWANELO therefore:
l Urges the government of Botswana to establish a Bargaining Council to safeguard the welfare of mine workers who suffer crippling and fatal injuries while at work. This means that in the event of an accident occurring, accident victims would have a platform dedicated to handling and preventing similar accidents from recurring in the mines. Accident victims and their dependents would be cared for and compensated accordingly,
l Urges the government of Botswana to ensure that the Department of Mines has adequate staffing, equipment, and resources to carry out routine, unscheduled inspections which are essential to preventing both accidents and long-term health problems, and
l Urges mining corporations to adhere to policies and procedures which safeguard the welfare of mine workers during operations. Adequate remedies should be provided to the victims or the victims’ families when an accident occurs.
Ditshwanelo
Gaborone