The Importance of Health and Safety at African Mine Sites
This knowledge note promots the equity and shared prosperity calls for a closer look at the working and living conditions of millions of mine workers in Africa, where tuberculosis (TB) imposes a high burden on mining economies and constitutes a re...
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| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2017
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/104641486029644171/The-importance-of-health-and-safety-at-african-mine-sites http://hdl.handle.net/10986/25997 |
| Summary: | This knowledge note promots the equity
and shared prosperity calls for a closer look at the working
and living conditions of millions of mine workers in Africa,
where tuberculosis (TB) imposes a high burden on mining
economies and constitutes a regional public health crisis.
Health hazards are perpetuated by poor enforcement of mining
legislation, limited application of best international
practices, weak institutions, and inadequate equipment and
skills. Attention by Africa’s regional economic communities
and the international donor community is needed. In
uncontrolled mining operations and communities of the type
common in Africa, several factors combine to form a perfect
storm for TB infection and transmission. The practice of
allowingmining companies to self-report on health issues
should be eliminated. Legislation on the healthaspects of
mining operations in Africa must be developed in line with
international standards andbest practices. The continent’s
regional development communities should act urgently to
establish public-private partnerships capable of ensuring
that mining in fact benefits the region’speople in their
path toward sustainable development. The goal should be the
adoption ofpreventive measures to avoid further damage to
the region’s health and skilled human capital. The necessary
partnerships will have to engage the major players on the
African mining scene in cooperation toward common objectives. |
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