Mine Health and Safety Law

The Chamber of Mines, with the Department of Mineral Resources and the organised labour as participants in the Mine Health and Safety Council have crafted and adopted certain mile stones which, when achieved would put South African mining industry on par with their international peers. However, as these mile stones cannot be achieved over night, it is imperative that legislation is complied with as far as is reasonably practicable. We provide advice on preparing Codes of Practice in terms of Section 9 of the Mine Health and Safety Act and in accordance with the Chief Inspector of Mines’ guidelines. We prepare letters of appointment for certain individuals required to carry legal appointments in terms of the MHSA and the Minerals Act Regulations, which remain in force in terms of Item 4 of Schedule 4 of the MHSA. We provide advice with regard to the lodgement of appeals to the Chief Inspector of Mines and draft written submissions in support of such appeals. We represent and provide advice to clients in inquiries conducted under the direction of the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate of the Department of Mineral Resources. We also provide legal advice and represent clients in courts of law when criminal prosecution is recommended against them following the inquiry. In essence, we understand the needs of clients as far as compliance with the MHSA is concerned and we provide the necessary advice therein.