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FOGAP 2025 ANNUAL DAY OF LEARNING INTRODUCTION
The Minerals Council in association with SANIRE, AMMSA and SACMA hosted the Falls of Ground Action Plan 2025 Day of Learning.
The FOGAP Day of Learning 2025 took place under the theme, "Olympics of Falls of Ground," featuring key topics such as Underground Piloting of Exoskeletons to help reduce the physical strain on miners, particularly during tasks like barring; Permanent Workface Areal Mesh used in underground mining to prevent falls of ground; Best Practice Guidelines for Seismic Monitoring to detect and analyse potential rockbursts or other hazards; and using Photogrammetry for Real-time Risk Identification to monitor and assess potential hazards, such as unstable rock formations.
“SAME BLOOD”
Same Blood - a unifying anthem for the South African Mining Industry’s journey toward Zero Harm
"Same Blood" was written as a unifying anthem for the South African Mining Industry’s journey toward Zero Harm. Inspired by the courage and resilience of mineworkers, the song speaks to our shared humanity and responsibility — that no matter our background, job title, or location, “you and I we’re the same blood.” This line carries profound meaning: it reminds us that in this industry, we are not strangers — we are family. We feel each other’s pain, we celebrate each other’s victories, and we carry a mutual responsibility to protect one another. Written by Dushen Naidoo, Head of Safety & Sustainable Development at the Minerals Council South Africa, and Rachel Ralphs, a Voice Artist, the song aims to inspire the industry to walk together, lift each other up, and return home safely.
As we launch Version 2.0 of the Khumbul’ekhaya strategy, "Same Blood" reverberates with its core message: that every life matters, every worker deserves to return home unharmed, and that collective leadership, learning, and unity will carry us forward. On this Fall of Ground Action Plan Day of Learning, the song is a call to action — to stand together, protect each other, and honour the humanity that binds us. It reminds us that safety is not a policy — it’s a promise we make to one another.
MEDIA RELEASE
The Minerals Council South Africa hosts the fourth Fall-of-Ground Day of Learning to eliminate fatalities caused by a key risk in mining
Media StatementRESOURCES
Welcome, safety briefing and remembering the deceased
Mzila Mthenjane, CEO, Minerals CouncilProgress on the FOGAP initiative (Pillars 1-6)
Lerato Tsele, Deputy Head: Safety and Sustainability Minerals Council SA, and Metse Mzondo, Adoption Team Manager (FOG), Minerals Council SAUsing illumination as a communication tool (Pillar 1)
Lourens Scheepers, Manager Rock Engineer, Sibanye-StillwaterEliminating the risk of employees working under unsupported rock
Buntu Tati, Rock Engineering Manager, and Kate Ntombela, Head of Safety: Impala Western Limb Operations - Permanent Workface Areal MeshLearning from Gold Fields South Deep: Critical Control Verification on Pillar Cutting in a Deep Mine
Yolanda Chambati, Section Manager Rock Engineer, Gold FieldsCreating a zero-harm production enabling environment: Elements critical for an enabling environment (Launch of the Honeycomb App)
Riaan CarstensEffective seismic risk management: Best practice guideline for seismic monitoring objectives
Johan Hannekom, Chief Rock Engineer, CSIRVIDEO FEATURE 01
Leading Practices: Improved Underground Workface Visibility and Permanent Workface Mesh Areal Support
Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) demonstrates the use of in-stope illumination at Dishaba Mine to ensure efficient illumination. The LED daisy chain lights at Dishaba are designed to be attached to permanent support units, and then moved to the safety nets to provide general illumination for drilling and other work activities.
A success story at Amandelbult with illumination and permanent nets (Pillar 1)
Sifiso Mashile, Chief Rock Engineer, Dishaba, Anglo Platinum AmandelbultVIDEO FEATURE 02
FOGAP Pillar 2: Research and Development – Exoskeleton Testing at Sibanye-Stillwater
Sibanye-Stillwater pilots exoskeletons to assist workers with barring, a physically demanding task of removing loose rocks in mines. This reduces strain on miners' backs, shoulders, and arms, allowing them to work more effectively and safely. The initiative aims to improve rock hazard identification and safe rock removal, reducing Falls of Ground (FoG) incidents and enhancing underground safety.
