OFFICIAL industrial sectors worldwide with particularly high-risk levels at underground. Table 2 compared mining safety performance compared with other high-hazard industries. Table 2 - Mining performance compared with other high-hazard industries (ICMM, 2024). Industry /sector FR1 Manufacturing Industry ~ 3 – 4 Construction ~ 9 – 10 Mining (global) 10 – 15 Mining (underground) 15 – 25 1 Fatality Rate [deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, FTE per year] 2. ACCIDENTS IN UNDERGROUND MINING Worldwide mining fatality rates vary significantly due to differences in mining methods, the maturity of safety regulations, and the degree of formalisation within the workforce. Fatality rates in Africa and Asia are particularly high, driven by the prevalence of deep-level mining, continued dependence on coal, and large informal mining sectors operating with limited safety oversight. In Latin America, moderate to high injury rates are associated with the dominance of small-scale and informal mining operations, where regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms are often weak. In contrast, Europe, North America, and Australia record comparatively low fatality rates because of stringent regulation, higher levels of mechanisation, and the implementation of advanced geotechnical controls. Across all regions, the primary causes of fatalities include terrain failures such as rockfalls, collapses, and rockbursts; incidents involving mobile equipment and transport; ventilation and gas-related events—particularly in coal mining; and accidents involving explosives. Collectively, these four accident categories account for more than 70% of worldwide mining fatalities, indicating that the principal risks facing the industry are well understood, persistent, and preventable (ICMM, 2024). Fatal accidents occur across all regions, commodities, and mining methods, demonstrating that these risks are systemic and pervasive throughout the global mining industry. Effective risk reduction will therefore require a long-term, sustained industry-wide commitment to robust risk management controls. While overall accident rates have declined over recent decades, underground mining remains especially hazardous due to geotechnical uncertainty, confined working conditions, and continuous exposure to high-risk environments, which elevate the likelihood of catastrophic incidents. Evidence from the highest-performing mining jurisdictions shows that with strong geotechnical design and monitoring, appropriate levels of mechanisation, and deliberate efforts to remove personnel from hazardous areas (Figure 1), annual fatality rates below three fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) miners are achievable. However, global mining fatality statistics must be interpreted with caution. Data quality is constrained by issues of completeness, consistency, and comparability, as there is no unified global standard for reporting mining safety performance. Countries and regulatory bodies apply differing definitions, reporting criteria, and investigative procedures, resulting in variable data quality. Additionally,
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