The dangers faced by miners every day are too numerous and too varied to be addressed by point solutions. Poor visibility, blind spots, fatigue, distraction and slope instability \u2013 to name a few of the risks \u2013 can only be mitigated by a comprehensive safety response combining technology and a commitment to zero-harm culture.<\/p>\n
Zero harm is the goal of the International Council on Mining and Metals<\/a> (ICMM). Membership comprises 27 of the world\u2019s biggest mining and metals companies and more than 35 national, regional and commodity association members.<\/p>\n After three years of improved safety performance among its members, the ICMM\u2019s 2019 Safety Data benchmarking report<\/a> recorded 287 fatalities, compared to 50 in 2018. Of the 287 fatalities recorded, 250 occurred as a result of the Brumadinho tailings storage dam collapse in January 2019. The second highest cause of fatalities in 2019, according to ICMM, was from mobile mining equipment and transportation.<\/p>\n \u201cOne fatality is one too many,\u201d Tom Butler, CEO of ICMM, told media. The 2019 figures were, said Butler, \u201ca stark reminder that while the mining and metals industry has come a long way in improving how it operates, there is still much more to do to safeguard lives, improve performance and demonstrate transparency\u201d.<\/p>\n So how can technology help?<\/p>\nBenefits of a comprehensive mine safety portfolio <\/strong><\/h2>\n