South African mining deaths fall to new record low in 2016

RANDFONTEIN, South Africa (Reuters) - The number of miners killed in South Africa's mines fell in 2016 to a new record low of 73 from 77 in 2015 thanks to a government drive to improve practices, Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane said on Thursday.

Unions in South Africa, the world's top platinum producer, say the death toll is still too high. It was the ninth consecutive year that fatalities fell in the country, where the government has strived to make the industry improve an appalling safety record. Under apartheid, hundreds died in mining accidents annually.