Fewer mine accidents recorded in 2009

With 14, BCL Mine had the most accidents. Jwaneng Mine recorded six, Tati three, Mowana and Orapa two each, while Botash, Mupane Gold Mine, Belabela Quarries, Lobatse Quarry and Lobatse Clay Works recorded one accident each, Minister Ponatshego Kedikilwe said.

But while accidents were fewer for the year, 2009 was traumatic for workers in the mining and affiliated industries.Kedikilwe revealed that 3, 471 workers lost their jobs in mining, bearing the brunt of the global recession on the domestic economy. By the end of last year, mining employed 15, 359 workers, down from 18, 830 at the end of 2008.