planned
2 October 2007
The tripartite Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC) will hold its fifth
Biennial Summit at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on Friday, 5 October
2007, to review the state of health and safety at mines. The theme for the
summit is 'Working together towards zero harm'.
The summit programme includes a keynote address by the Minister of Minerals
and Energy, Buyelwa Sonjica, feedback by the MHSC chairperson, Thabo Gazi on
progress towards achieving the industry milestones on mine health and safety,
leadership discussions and interactive round table discussions by
delegates.
Professor May Hermanus of the Centre for Sustainability in Mining and
Industry will present outcomes resulting from the mini indaba on rock bursts
and seismicity, held in Carletonville on 7 September 2007, and Phil Piper from
Groundwork will present results of a Safety in Mines Research Advisory
Committee (Simrac) research project focused on the technology transfer of
research outcomes.
Industry leaders, including the minister, and Messrs Lazarus Zim (President
of the Chamber of Mines), Senzeni Zokwana (President of the National Union of
Mineworkers) and Thabo Gazi will address the media at 11h00. Delegates can view
mining occupational health and safety exhibits. The summit is preceded by a
dinner on 4 October, at which the 2006/07 MHSC Safety Achievement Flag winners,
namely Blyvooruitzicht and Fairview gold mines, Greenside Colliery and Assmang
Manganese mine, will be presented with Special Safety Awards for excellent
safety achievement, by the minister.
The tripartite Mine Health and Safety Council was established in 1996 in
terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act to advise the Minister of Minerals and
Energy on research programmes, Regulations and occupational health and safety
in the South Africa mining industry. The MHSC members represent the state,
organised labour and mine employers.
Contacts:
Thabo Gazi
Mine Health and Safety Council Chairperson
Tel: 012 317 8000
E-mail: Thabo.Gazi@dme.gov.za
Elsie Zinser
Mine Health and Safety Council
Tel: 011 358 9180
E-mail: ezinsser@mhsc.org.za3
Bontle Mafuna
Chief Director Communication: Minerals and Energy
Tel: 012 317 8086
Cell: 082 773 2388
E-mail: Bontle.mafuna@dme.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
2 October 2007
