Once considered to be the backbone of the country's economy, gold mines have become a health hazard for mineworkers. Thousands of mineworkers in the country could be suffering from serious chest diseases as a result of working underground in the gold mines. The workers are left to fend for themselves as they get no compensation from mine owners. The epidemiology research unit in Johannesburg carried out an occupational health study in Libode district of Eastern Cape, a rural area from where most of the labour force migrates to the gold mining industry. Fifty-five per cent of them were found to be suffering from pneumoconiosis -- a group of chest diseases characterised by scarring of lung tissue and caused by inhalation of excessive mineral or metallic dust. Besides, 42 per cent of these miners also had tuberculosis. The mining industry is bound by law to provide compensation to workers who sustain injuries or diseases at work. Fleur Plimmer, health and safety coordinator for the National Union of Mineworkers said that the mining industry will have to increase its 'dust levy' which constitutes the industry's occupational diseases fund.
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