Modern Mining June 2016

PRODUCT News

Product R&D at the core of MSA Africa’s strategy

The latest Department of Mineral Resources stats have revealed that the South African mining industry recorded a record-low 77 fatalities in 2015 – down 8 % on the previous year – setting the industry on course to attaining its ‘Zero Harm’ objectives. MSA Africa says it places a high priority on ensuring that these objectives become a reality. Statistics revealed that the most fatalities were recorded in gold mines, where 33 miners lost their lives. Platinum recorded 22 fatalities and coal a total of five. Other mines recorded a combined fatalities total of 17. MSA Africa Director Colin Oliver says that the gold and platinum sectors experience considerably higher death rates, due to the fact that the mines are located in deep hard rock areas. “South Africa features the deepest underground gold mines in the world, which stretch down as far as 4 000 m beneath the surface. At this depth, greater risks are naturally inherent. Examples are rock col- lapse, explosive gas pockets, toxic gas, fire and underground water, to name a few. Reliable safety equipment is therefore of the utmost importance, and more operations are realising this,” he notes. Oliver highlights the fact that the South African mining sec- tor’s health and safety record ranks among the best in the world, and he attributes the latest drop in fatalities to closer co-operation between the government, mines and trade unions, as well as con- tinual improvements made to safety products used in the industry. “Continual product research and development is at the core of MSA Africa’s strategy. As a result, we have been instrumental in introducing new safety technologies.” MSA Africa safety products that are used extensively in the local mining sector include the Altair 4X Mining multigas detector, report- edly the only SABS-approved instrument of its kind. It boasts a sensor response and clear time of less than 15 seconds and can detect up to four gases at any given time. Another innovative MSA Africa mining safety product is the Luminator cap lamp, which sets itself apart from all other cap lamps in the world as it enhances the miner’s ability to more effectively detect cracks on hanging walls, which usually represent signs of ground falls and roof collapse. For head protection, MSA Africa offers miners its stylish range of patented V-Gard hardhats, which provide high comfort and perfor- mance levels. MSA Africa also boasts a comprehensive range of face masks and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). MSA Africa, tel (+27 11) 610-2600

The Altair 4X can detect up to four gases at any given time.

June 2016  MODERN MINING  57