Question NW108 to the Minister of Mineral Resources
19 February 2016 - NW108
Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
(1) What are the relevant details of every safety inspection conducted at the (a) Middelburg Townlands, (b) Graspan, (c) Springlake, (d) Klippan, (e) Middelkraal, (f) Kleinfontein, (g) Optimum Coal Holdings, (h) Koornfontein, (i) Vierfontein and (j) Brakfontein coal mines in 2015; (2) whether any orders were issued against any of the specified coal mines after such inspections; if not, why not; if so, (a) in which cases, (b) on what dates were such orders issued and (c) what are the relevant reasons in each case?
Reply:
- The Department continuously conducts audits and inspections at all the mines, including the stated mines, to ensure compliance with the legal provisions mainly regarding prevention of fall of ground, transport equipment and machinery accidents as well as exposure of employees to noise and dust (including silica dust).
- Yes.
(a), (b) Enforcement measures, including the issuing of Section 54 and 55 orders, were previously issued over the operating period of all the mines.
(c) Some of the orders which were previously issued include on: failure to support the hanging roof, employees working under unsupported roof, inadequate guarding of conveyor belts, poor application of stone dust, inadequate ventilation, failure to declare a working place safe for employees to work in, exposing employees to high dust and noise levels.
Approved/not approved
Mr MJ Zwane, MP
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:-………………/………………/2016