Launch of Rescue Drill Unit brings new hope
Chamber of Mines’ Collieries Committee and its members, in partnership with the Mines Rescue Services and the Collieries Training Centre, launched the new Rescue Drill Unit at Goedehoop Mine, Middelburg recently.
The launch was held on Tuesday, February 18.
“Our mine health and safety performance remains of great concern and needs to continuously improve. Since 1994, we have consistently worked at strengthening mine health and safety compliance, and to this day we continue to pursue the ideal of ‘Zero Harm’ relentlessly. We do this because we are mindful that without the workers, the industry cannot thrive,” said Ms Susan Shabangu, Minister of Mineral Resources.
The latest mine accidents illustrate the inherent dangers associated with mining and thus the importance of implementing effective measures to prevent harm on mineworkers.
On February 4, a tragic accident occurred at Harmony Doornkop Mine which led to the death of nine mine workers. An investigation is currently in progress to identify the underlying causes, which may have contributed in any manner to this accident.
The disaster also emphasizes the importance of having adequate emergency preparedness and response measures at the mines. There are currently legal provisions including regulations and mandatory guidelines to assist the mines in this regard.
Mining companies must draft and implement codes of practice on emergency preparedness and response based on the mandatory guidelines. All the mines are urged to ensure that there is compliance with the relevant regulations and the guideline.
It is also important to indicate that the Mine Rescue Services and equipment used in rescue operations are rated amongst the best in the world. In this regard, the department commends the coal industry and the Chamber of Mines for investing in the new technologically advanced Rescue Drill Unit.
During 2010, a task team was established to investigate and recommend suitable equipment to replace the aging current equipment. The Collieries Committee, in the following year, agreed to the task team’s recommendations and approved the funding for the new equipment and on November 29, 2011 the first order of R45 million for the large drill was placed. The total spend for both drills, rescue winder, capsule and probe camera amounted to R69-million.
The rescue drill unit consists of a Schramm T130XD rescue hole drill, Schramm T685WS probe hole drill, Floxal Nitrogen Plant, CIS Compressor trailer, Cummins generator, mobile rescue winder and gas Chromatograph and bore-hole camera.
“We will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders in the mining industry in a bid to ensure our mineral resources are developed in a safe and productive manner. We encourage exchange of ideas and programmes in order to learn from each other with regard to leading practice, technological developments as well as education and training.”
