Health Impacts
Occupational Lung Diseases (OLDs) continue to pose a significant health risk in the South African mining industry, especially in gold, coal and platinum operations. Prolonged exposure to airborne dust generated during mining processes leads to the development of various respiratory illnesses, which remain a critical concern for mineworker health and safety.
The most common occupational lung diseases in mining include:
- Silicosis: Caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust which ends up in the lungs, this condition is irreversible and progressively worsens over time.
- Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP): Also known as “black lung”, results from prolonged inhalation of respirable coal dust particles.
- Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema: Linked to long-term exposure to airborne contaminants in mining environments.
- Tuberculosis (TB): Strongly associated with silica exposure, with silicosis significantly increasing the risk of TB infection in mineworkers.
- Manganism: A neurological disorder associated with long-term exposure to manganese.
- Lead Poising (Zinc): May be as a result of the inhalation of zinc-containing materials which are contaminated with lead.
During the 2024 DMPR reporting year [i.e., April 2024 to March 2025], the South African mining sector recorded a total of 1,068 occupational disease cases of which 62% are attributed to occupational lung diseases. This highlights the urgent need for effective dust control measures, adoption of best practices and continuous monitoring to protect mineworkers and support the industry's Zero Harm health and safety objectives.