{"id":6611,"date":"2026-01-23T16:22:35","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T21:22:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.hexagonmining.com\/?p=6611"},"modified":"2026-01-23T16:23:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T21:23:04","slug":"the-human-side-of-minings-digital-evolution-unpacked-at-hexagons-regional-mining-forum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.hexagonmining.com\/en\/the-human-side-of-minings-digital-evolution-unpacked-at-hexagons-regional-mining-forum\/","title":{"rendered":"The human side of mining\u2019s digital evolution unpacked at Hexagon\u2019s Regional Mining Forum"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2024, South Africa\u2019s mining industry recorded 42 fatalities, the lowest in the country\u2019s mining history and a 24% improvement on the previous year. During the same year, more than 1,800 miners were injured on the job \u2013 many in repeat incidents \u2013 revealing that more work is needed to enhance the sector\u2019s safety strategies.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This was the focus of discussions at the Hexagon Regional Mining Forum, in Johannesburg, in October. The event brought together industry leaders and subject matter experts to discuss best practices shaping the mining industry and to exchange ideas around how technologies can make mining smarter and, more importantly, safer.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Leslie Fengu, General Manager – EMEA, Hexagon presents at the Johannesburg Regional Mining Forum in 2025<\/p><\/div>\n

Hexagon\u2019s General Manager for South Africa, Leslie Fengu, addressed the event, quoting Abraham Maslow: \u201cIt is tempting,\u202fif the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail.” He pointed out that mining safety has traditionally been driven by a narrow set of tools. These methods, much like \u201cthe hammer\u201d, treat safety as a singular, mechanical problem but this fails to address the complex factors that cause repeat incidents. \u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The following section presents four takeaways from the event, outlining key safety trends and their strategic implications for the mining industry.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

#1 Marketing safety measures to mine workers more strategically<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mine workers are traditionally hesitant to adopt new technologies due to concerns about job security or because of limited training. To mitigate this uncertainty and apprehension, it is therefore crucial to reframe the narrative, clearly explaining the purpose of technological change and the benefits it brings.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Industry experts at the Hexagon Regional Mining Forum stressed that technology, particularly when applied to enhance miner safety, should be presented as a tool that empowers and supports operators, not one that replaces them or is deployed to uncover mistakes. Marketing the benefits of mining safety solutions directly to miners is a critical component of operational risk management. Clear, targeted communication ensures that workers understand the purpose, functionality, and practical application of safety solutions. This is essential for driving adoption and promoting consistent adherence to safety protocols.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Below are three real-world examples.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n