Mine workers welfare needs attention

Business

MUCH of the talk surrounding the mining sector has often been focused on revenue generated and not about the wellbeing of the mine workers, an official says.
Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazard Management acting deputy secretary Winterford Eko addressed the Southern Regional Consultation on the mining act review last week.
Eko said health and safety of the staff were important and should be addressed.
“When it comes to mining, everybody wants to talk about equity and royalty and they forget about the operational aspects that will cost them,” he said.
“They don’t consider that if the mine shuts down, it will affect their equity payout or their royalty.
“They don’t consider whether their uncles and fathers and everybody that works in the mining sector and if he or she will come back in a stretcher or a wheelchair.
“That is something that we don’t really pay much attention to. And it is important that we address that.”
He said the review of the mining act, particularly the mining and safety act, would make sure that international standards were met.