By Thembelani Moyo,

ZiMining News Editor

What a paradox ! Workplaces are supposed to be sources of livelihood for workers, and not places described as death traps, where workers are killed in numbers.

Zimplats, however, according to its financial report for the quarter ended 30 September 2019, took measures to correct the paradox, and raised safety measures for its workers. The platinum mining giant recorded only one lost time injury, and a colossal one million fatal free shifts.

“One lost time injury was reported, and the Group achieved the safety milestone of one million fatality free shifts worked during the quarter,” reported Zimplats.

In October, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Dr. Sekai Nzenza, bemoaned that workplaces had become death traps.

“This year alone, we have recorded 30 fatalities and 2 861 serious injuries, as compared to 3 352 work related injuries and 48 fatalities during the same time last year.

“On average, 76 lives are lost due to work related deaths, every year. The statistics are a cause for concern and must be significantly lowered,” said Dr. Nzenza.

The Minister said the poor state of Zimbabwe’s economy has played a role in the many deaths experienced in the workplace.

“The general economic decline that our country has been experiencing over the years has created hazardous workplaces, characterised by dilapidated infrastructure across many industrial sectors,” said the Minister.

Meanwhile, during the quarter ended 30 September 2019, Zimplats recorded an increase in mined tonnage and tonnes milled.

“Mined tonnage increased by 7% from the previous quarter…this was mainly due to improved fleet productivity and additional tonnage from Mupani Mine, which is still under development

“Tonnes milled increased by 9% from previous quarter due to an increase in running time . Running time was impacted in the previous quarter by planned shutdowns for mill relines at both concentrators,” reported Zimplats.