Abstract
Mining in general, and South African hard rock mining in particular, is associated with risk. Narrow
reef mining entails risks from falls of grounds, seismic events, fires, and other risks to the mineworker
through the actual mining process. However, the risk of mine closure due to economic factors or
social and statutory constraints is becoming a serious concern for most, if not all, persons related to
the South African mining industry. These concerns affect the entire spectrum of employment in the
mining industry from the general labourer to top management; from students just entering university
studies in the field of mining to mineworkers with decades of experience; from surface operations
exploiting coal and iron ore to underground gold, platinum, chrome, and manganese operations.
In days gone by, labour was inexpensive and plentiful, and combined with the narrow nature of the
orebodies this led to labour-intensive mining methods. Furthermore, many of the deposits were
shallow and conducive to short travelling distances and high productivity. This is no longer the case –
the reality is medium- to deep-level mining that involves travelling through two or three shaft
systems with working face times often less than four hours per shift. The industry has attempted to
mechanize the South African narrow-reef environment – in the late 20th century for the gold mines
and since the 21st century for the platinum industry – the former largely failing and the current
initiative making some inroads but not conclusively successful (e.g. Lonmin’s experience). The
implementation of mechanization in the narrow-reef environment requires favourable geology (50%
of the mineral resources could be unsuitable for mechanization) (Rapson and Rupprecht, 2004) and
requires considerable capital.