78 Figure 1: ICMM member cumulative fatalities Between 2018 and 2023, several leading companies demonstrated that sustained fatalityfree performance was achievable—for example, BHP (2019–22), Newmont (2018–22), and Rio Tinto (2019–23) each delivered unprecedented 4–5 year fatality-free runs. Yet those records were later disrupted. Each organisation subsequently returned to performance levels of one or more fatalities per year. At the same time, ICMM member cumulative fatalities increased for a second consecutive year in 2024. After the industry proved fatality-free consistency was possible, something changed. If mining and metals is to return to—and scale—fatality-free execution, the determinants of past success, the causes of derailment, and the improvements required must be understood. These insights can inform the architecture of the next generation of fatality prevention programs and enable a step-change in industry performance. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE This paper describes the emerging syndrome that is disrupting fatality-free performance and the systemic causes behind it. It also proposes practical directions the industry can pursue to reverse the fatality trend and restore sustained fatality elimination momentum.
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