Mantashe slams mine owners as fatalities surge in 2026
Mantashe warned that 'these are not merely numbers'.
South Africa's Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister, Gwede Mantashe, has cautioned mine owners against prioritizing profits over the safety of their workers as fatalities in the mining industry rise in 2026. At the Mine Health and Safety Tripartite Summit on September 17th, 2026, Mantashe pointed out that while the industry saw a historic low in fatalities in 2024 and 2025 (42 and 41 respectively), there has been a concerning increase in 2026 with 49 deaths recorded so far.
In 2024, the platinum sector reported 18 deaths, followed by gold with 12, coal with 6, chrome with 3, diamonds with 2, and other mines with 1. In 2025, gold was the leading cause with 21 fatalities, followed by platinum with 11, chrome with 3, and coal with 2. In 2026, platinum and gold have again led, with platinum causing 18 deaths, gold 17, and diamonds 5, accounting for over 70% of all fatalities in 2026.
Mantashe emphasized that these fatalities are not mere statistics but the loss of lives and breadwinners who leave behind families. He questioned whether the high commodity prices are causing unsafe practices to chase profits. He also criticized the increase in contract work, which he linked to higher fatality rates, and criticized mine owners for attempting to evade responsibility by liquidating after disasters.
Mantashe called for urgent action on commuting fatalities, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and mental health issues, stressing that every worker has the right to refuse dangerous work under the Mine Health and Safety Act. He urged mine owners to commit to strengthening health and safety at the country's mines.
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