A heart to save mineworker livesSaving lives, one mineworker at a time…

The collaborative efforts from the mining industry to save lives show the industry's intention to ensure that mineworkers' lives are saved. We spoke to Mannas Fourie, the Chief Executive Officer of Mine Rescue Services (MRS), to hear and see more of what MRS offers to the South African mining industry. The organisation was started in 1924 by the mining industry to put mechanisms in place to ensure that mineworkers are safe, and should anything happen, a team is available to rescue them.

There are currently 1017 mine rescuers throughout South Africa who have been through vigorous training offered by MRS. Mine Rescue Services offers its services to the mining industry through its local rescue stations in South Africa and extends its services to other countries.

MRS has established an appropriate management system that is in accordance with ISO 9001:2015. Through available resources, this management system ensures that MRS provides a complete structured emergency system that is safe, reasonably practicable, competitive, costeffective, and efficient.

On the day of the interview with Mannas, the Centre for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was conducting research for the mining industry towards the preservation of life. Another groundbreaking research that we will see soon.

Let's hear from Mannas:

Where did it all start for you?

My journey in mining started in 1994 when I was a Learner Official, and I worked my way up to an Executive Level as a Mine Manager and rescuer. In 2017, I joined MRS and was passionate about people and the mining industry. I have been with the organisation for six years. These years have helped me to understand the need to develop people, motivate them and take everyone.

What is your take on mine fatalities in the industry? Statistics released early in the year announced 49 fatalities.

Nobody should die in the mines, as no mine manager wants to see people or their team members dying. The mines have improved, and this speaks to the passion the mining industry has for everyone working there. Mine accidents can be prevented, but it takes a team effort and everyone needs to take responsibility.

If it is to be a holistic approach, where are we getting it wrong?

Safety is like scraping water uphill; everybody needs to ensure mineworkers are safe. Our mines are deep, and there are old mines, and they are scattered all over, and the rest of the world comes to South Africa to benchmark. South Africa has the expertise; our mines are complex, and the risk is higher. The industry needs to learn from one disaster, but the mines need to learn and share information because they are scared to talk as litigations follow.

In your work, have you dealt with illegal mineworkers?

In 2022 we rescued 97 illegal mine workers, and we do not discriminate in our space. MRS has the skills and knows how to navigate the underground mining space; that is where we assist, and we are also contracted with the mines, so we are where we are needed.

Klerksdorp has a big challenge with illegal mines, and so is the West Rand because they are close to the surface. Harmony in the Free State has done a great job in closing the mine, and you would not even see that the place was once a mine, but once the mine is closed, illegal miners move to the next area.

What has been the biggest highlight in your line of work?

Each life that we have rescued has been a highlight. To save a life is amazing, and the rescued mineworker gets a chance to get back to their family. I have been in the operations rooms, and tears roll when we succeed in saving a life.

Being a mine rescuer is a tough job, and the pass rate is around 60% because the rescuers go through tough training. Our rescuers are volunteers, and they have a passion for saving lives. We have come a long way as the industry to look at what happened with Coalbrook mine to be where we are with technology. We can now do the work and rescue mineworkers.

What is the role of technology in safety?

MRS has developed the mobile rescue winder; South Africa developed that, and there is none in the world. There is a breathing apparatus that can last for four hours which is great.

Mine Rescue Services with Draeger is developing a more advanced breathing apparatus device which can work with the different pressures underground.

Share about the Training you provide at MRS.

There is a variety of courses we offer, including:

1. Initial Comprehensive, a five-day comprehensive course for all new Rescue Team Members on using the Dräeger BG4 closed circuit, long-duration breathing apparatus, firefighting and associated techniques.

2. The Refresher Training, a one-day course, is offered four times a year to refresh Rescue Team Members and keep abreast of new techniques. This refresher will be carried out in a mine or simulated mine filled with smoke.

3. Advanced Training, a standard course in Advanced Mines Rescue Procedures, has been developed so that Rescue Team Captains, Rescue Team Vice Captains and selected senior Rescue Team Members are provided with the necessary expertise through theoretical training to understand the responsibilities and duties of efficiently leading and supervising rescue teams.

4. Control Room Management, a oneday programme to equip managers with the techniques tomanage an emergency control centre on a mine during an emergency.

5. Rope Rescue Technician, a three-day course designed to achieve competency in line rescue and high-angle techniques, includes an annual refresher. Borehole Rescue is a training course for specific rescue techniques utilising drilled boreholes and a mechanical winch to rescue persons trapped underground.

6. Mine Security Task Team is an additional service offered by MRS designed for specialised mine security personnel who require certain skills due to the nature of their work.

7. Surface Fire Responder Training is an additional service offered by MRS designed for specialised mine security personnel who require certain skills due to the nature of their work. The Training is vigorous as we want the best team out there. Unfortunately, we do not have any female rescuers at the moment and hopefully, we can have one in future.

What is the general state of safety in South African mines?

The industry is doing a lot of work, and we must give credit. People must see mine rescue, the mining industry and safety in context. They need to look at the South African mining conditions, the work we do in South Africa and the mines we have, and one can understand South Africa's challenges. So much has changed in the mining industry, and we need to appreciate that.

What is the current state of leadership in the mines?

Leaders need to put themselves in the shoes of mineworkers before making a decision. They need to lead with humility. Leaders should be close to what happens with the people. So much has changed, the mines, people and environment have changed, and we need leaders who are in touch with reality. Leaders need to go underground and see what the mineworkers go through. Visibility remains key, and one should be within the people.

What is your message to abasebenzi at the mines?

My message to mineworkers is: "We will risk our lives to save a life – we will not walk away, and we will go to the greatest extent to save a life."

The MRS will host the 2023 International Mines Rescue Body Conference from the 1st to the 5th of October 2023. The International Mines Rescue Body biennial conferences have charted and marked the growth and development of the organisation and mine rescue organisations worldwide as they share the knowledge and vision required to improve mining safety. In this event, MRS and other industry bodies will co-sponsor 270 rescuers, and international countries like New Zealand are keen to share knowledge and present at the conference.

(Source: Mine Rescue Services website)