Africa harbours the world’s largest mineral reserves of platinum, gold, diamonds, chromite, manganese, and vanadium. The continent is endowed with 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, which accounts for over 50% of exports. As an important sector, mining contributes to the creation of employment for many of the continent’s citizens and in the advent of regional integration, the sector facilitates labour migration among countries. The African Union (AU) adopted the African Mining Vision (AMV) as a policy framework for mineral-based development in Africa to guide countries on effectively and sustainably embracing the growth of the sector.

The mining sector, though a vital economic sector in Africa, is associated with high levels of Tuberculosis. The continent still grapples with TB, despite progress registered globally in tackling the disease. The challenge of TB in the mining sector is compounded by high rates of HIV, unfavourable working and living conditions which increase the miners’ risk of contracting the communicable disease. The challenge of TB in the mines is further complicated by labour migration patterns and weak mine health regulatory systems, leaving mining companies to self-regulate on dust control. The unique relationships between TB and HIV; TB and poverty; and TB and mining requires multi-sectoral integrated approach to end TB by 2030.

In responding to these challenges the African Union Development Agency (AUDA–NEPAD), Eastern Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) and World Bank are collaborating in supporting the implementation of Southern Africa TB and Health Systems Support (SATBHSS) Project.

The project, being implemented in Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, aims to improve coverage and quality of TB control and occupational lung disease services, and strengthen regional capacity to manage the burden of TB and occupational diseases. The project contributes to the achievement of targets set in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), SADC Protocol on Health, SADC Declaration in TB in the Mining Sector, WHO End TB Strategy, African Union (AU) Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB and Eliminate Malaria in Africa by 2030, the SADC Mining Protocol and the AU mining charter.

A study was conducted to assess the legal frameworks and management systems for occupational health and safety in project countries in comparison with international best practice. The study that existing laws and regulations are in large parts outdated, fragmented and lacked precision to be enforceable.

It is our sincere hope that the imperatives that are framed in this baseline assessment report for mine health regulation and occupational health and safety (OSH) service will prompt governments to undertake the much-needed regulatory reforms. Furthermore, it will inform intervention on ensuring that employers undertake risk assessments and have a risk-based management system for OSH in the mining sector as part of the concerted efforts to advance the Continent’s development agenda encapsulated in Agenda 2063.