Question NW829 to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
12 April 2023 - NW829
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
With reference to the imbizo organised by his department in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal, in the week of 2 March 2023 to provide feedback to stakeholders on the progress made with regard to the ex-mineworkers compensation fund programme, and to urge eligible claimants to continue with the lodgement process, what (a) are the full relevant details of the specified fund and (b) total number of ex-miners has benefited from the fund to date?
Reply:
a) The ex-mineworker’s compensation fund programme is the government’s national campaign that tracks, traces and pay former mineworkers' unclaimed benefits, including provident funding and compensation for lung diseases contracted on the job. The Department of Health is responsible for providing compensation benefits to eligible current and ex-mineworkers for occupational lung diseases caused by hazardous exposures in the mines. It also administers the Fund in accordance with the Occupational Diseases of Mines and Works Act, 78 of 1973 which provides for the compensation of occupational injuries or occupational diseases contracted by employees during the course of their employment or death caused by such injuries or illness.
b) 77 403 claims to current and ex-mineworkers or their beneficiaries (if the mineworker is deceased) have been paid as of 27 March 2023 amounting to R2 470 806 271, 00 in South Africa and other countries.