Mining In South Africa

Mining, one of the main industries in South Africa has proven to be a resilient industry.It has been proven that countries with healthy mining industries is more resistant to worldwide recessions, as they still provide huge profits and create many job opportunities while providing many areas in skills development. Materials such as gold, platinum and coal which cannot otherwise be manufactured are all make up the mining industry. With highly specialized planning and expensive, sophisticated equipment we are able to make use of coal, iron, ore, tantalum, gold, diamonds, and minerals in our daily lives. Selecting the area to mine is the most important part as any area where mining will need to take place needs to offer minerals in an easy, quick and economic way. Although leaps and bounds have been reached in mining safety, it is still one of the most hazardous industries in the world as it has to be performed under hazardous conditions. Worker safety is at the forefront of any mining company and millions are spent on improving the safety and work conditions of miners annually.

Mozambique is a country rich in many different minerals and natural resources such as coal. Coal, being a major electricity producer is a valued resource. From as early as the 12th century, gold has been mined on the western border of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Mozambique is also one of the largest sources of Titanium bearing countries in the world. In Northern Mozambique a rare blue-grey transition metal called Tantalum is to be found.

One of the most important fossil fuels on earth is coal. When used correctly, it produces electricity, heat and many other types of energy. Coal consists of a mixture of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen together with nitrogen and sulphur. Coal mining is considered by many to be the most profitable of mining activity in South Africa due its high global demand. South Africa is lucky to possess 11% of the world’s coal reserves, and products 6% of the global production. More than 80% of the country’s primary energy needs are provided by coal. Finding coal reserves in various places requires extensive planning and research from industry professionals such as geologists, mining engineers, coal technologists and geo technologists. It is easy to see why coal mining forms such an important part of the South African economy, and that great care needs to be taken to sustain and preserve this essential industry in the country.

The health and safety of mine employees is constantly monitored by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) which covers employment, production, injuries, illnesses and accidents. The monitoring of these factors is needed for evaluating the existing procedures that are in place in order to keep effective measures in place. Chemicals that are used in the mining process can cause pollution to the environment, people and animals. Chemicals such as cyanide, mercury and methyl mercury which are used to merge the metals and minerals are released into the ocean, rivers and streams. These polluted waters can be the cause of serious health hazards to people as well as aquatic organisms. That is why it is essential that the mining industry have to follow strict safety measures and guidelines to reduce the negative effects on the environment and its people.

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Cameron Diesel is the owner of www.industryza.co.za, a website devoted to providing companies in the mining and other industrial industries with a platform for advertising their businesses in a virtual showroom.

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