Parliament, Wednesday, 10 May 2017 – The Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources has acknowledged the 22nd anniversary of the Vaal Reef mine disaster, which occurred on 10 May 1995.
Committee Chairperson Mr Sahlulele Luzipo said in his opening remarks at the meeting to adopt the Budget Vote Report today: “22 years on and this disaster remains one of the country’s biggest accidents and claimed the highest number of lives in a working environment.”
The Committee appreciates the measures taken by Parliament in 1996 to pass the Mine Health and Safety Act, which saw a reduction of accidents in the mines and restored the dignity and safety of mine workers.
The Committee remains concerned about mining accidents that continue to claim lives, such as the accident that occurred at the Lily mine. However, it is encouraged by the successes brought about by the Act through cooperation between key stakeholders, including the Department of Mineral Resources, organised labour and business.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON MINERAL RESOURCES, MR SAHLULELE LUZIPO
Media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Name: Mr Justice Molafo
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8444
Cell: 081 424 7481
E-mail: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
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