SA envoy pushes for sustainable PH mining
South African Ambassador to the Philippines Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe underscored that the health and safety of mine workers is everyone’s responsibility but it is also important to keep in mind that the long-term sustainability of mining is dependent not only on its growth, competitiveness and transformation but also on how well its workforce is cared for.
Ambassador Radebe-Netshitenzhe was one of the keynote speakers during the Minerals Industry Symposium at the 70th Annual Mine Safety and Environment Conference.
She said that to the South African Embassy, the annual PMSEA event is not just another event in their calendar but a testament to the enduring friendship between PMSEA and South Africa’s embassy and the Department of Minerals and Resources.
“Our attendance to this event is also to share and exchange and deepen mining challenges albeit environmental changes and opportunities that it provides for both our nations,” she stressed.
The Ambassador also emphasized that the health and safety of all persons at mines, particularly the mine workers is important not only because they convert investments into wealth but because the life of a human being is more precious and valuable than the mineral resources sought after.
“South Africa’s premise is that occupational fatalities, injuries and diseases in the workplace are unacceptable. The mining industry must quantify its success through investment in the number of workers who retire in good health and look forward to sharing the remainder of their lives with their loved ones,” she noted.
