A more holistic approach will drive improvements in miners’ health LONDON 28 February 2025

Little progress has been made over the last decade to improve long-term health effects of people working in the mining industry. As the world becomes increasingly dependent on mined materials – including those needed to support the energy transition and expand artificial intelligence – a paradigm shift in miners’ health is needed.

In Environment Analyst’s February Thought Leadership column, Nancy Wilk senior technical director, environmental health and safety and industrial hygiene at the consultant WSP writes:

“Based on global and national data, mining companies cannot continue to deliver their occupational health and safety (OHS) programmes in the same way and expect to see different results – we need a paradigm shift.”

Policies

It is thought that over 80% of miners’ work-related health conditions are preventable. The top occupational disease risks include silicosis, pulmonary fibrosis and several cancers. But miners also suffer from elevated levels of poor mental health, addiction and suicide, compared to other occupations. Wilk advocates for new integrated approaches, such as Total Worker Health (TWH*), to deliver real improvement.

TWH includes policies, programmes and practices that integrate protection from work-related safety and health hazards, with promotion of injury and illness prevention efforts, to advance worker wellbeing. It considers both occupational and non-occupational exposures to risk for workers, and addresses workplace conditions, work sites, and the communities where miners live.

While this broader approach introduces complexity, it also presents opportunities for meaningful change, says Wilk. Typically, organisations start by identifying their greatest illness and injury risks, assessing who they can partner with internally and externally to support and care for workers, improve prevention, and advance worker wellbeing.

Over the past three years, the intersections between environmental, social and corporate governance and TWH have been used to provide opportunities for further partnership and collaboration to drive progress. This, says Wilk, is a positive development, especially as the key consumers of minerals – the renewable energy, automotive and electronics sectors – as well as the mining industry itself, are driving change as they seek to reduce their non-financial risks.

“Mining companies must move beyond traditional safety models and embrace integrated health solutions to reduce preventable diseases and fatalities. The sooner we adopt these strategies, the sooner we protect and improve the lives of miners worldwide. The time for a paradigm shift is now,” she asserts.