THE Foundation for Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) Development (FADev) has provided training and protective equipment worth 20m/- to groups of artisanal and small-scale miners in Geita region to enhance safety in mining sites.
FADev provided the equipment over the weekend with the funding from SwissAid organization to the miners working in the area of artisanal and small-scale miners at Mgusu Ward in Geita District, aiming at reducing the health effects to people working in mining areas.
FADev Executive Secretary Ms Theonestina Mwasha said the equipment provided are gloves, hard caps, boots, glasses and safety equipment for protection against dust and noises caused by the stone grinding machines.
“We have found out that many artisanal and small miners do not use protective equipment, that’s why we have given them education and equipment so that they can work and earn money safely and comfortably.
“We look for money to improve life, but artisanal and small-scale mining has its effects. If you do not pay attention to safety at work, it can endanger life, some miners have already been affected by Tuberculosis due to negligence in using protective equipment,” Ms Mwasha said.
She further said FADev was providing education to artisanal and small-scale miners on money saving and investments in various projects so that they avoid relying solely on the mining sector and instead diversify their sources of income.
Geita Region Tuberculosis Coordinator, Dr Michael Mashala admitted that failure by artisanal and small-scale miners to put on protective equipment, including failure to embrace health safety at mining sites are among the sources of TB infections in Geita region.
He explained that about between ten and 18 percent of TB patients come from mining areas with the main reason being the dust that they inhale while carrying out mining activities due to the lack of protective equipment.
Dr Mashala cited recent statistics in Geita Region, saying about 720 out of 4,000 people, equal to 18 percent, who are infected with tuberculosis are small-scale miners.
Chairperson of Mgusu ward women miners, Ms Bernadetha Petro admitted that mining that does not take into account safety at work caused some miners to suffer from permanent and serious injuries, keeping some miners out of work.
She said the equipment provided by FADev will help them enter the mining pits while being protected from dust and noise, thus being able to work in safe and friendly environment.
