History

The Association of Mine Managers originally undertook the administration of the Associations. A separate department was established within the Chamber of Mines to administer the 8 Mines Professional Associations. Over the years the staff of this department grew to 12 and was heavily subsidised by the Chamber of Mines. In recent years the department has been restructured and the Chamber’s support has been greatly reduced.

The funding of the Mines Professional Associations’ Secretariat is now largely through the 11 Mines Professional Associations’ subscriptions with the exception of a subsidy for publications provided by the Chamber.

1846

First appointed mine manager

1886

Discovery Main Reef, Witwatersrand

1886

Proclamation of Johannesburg

1892

First meeting Association of Mine Managers

1892-1900

Six years after the discovery of Witwatersrand, a group of Mine Managers formed themselves into an Association

October 12, 1892 First meeting of Mine Managers convened October 31, 1892

Reconvene with first minutes

June 13, 1893 Stated Aim of The Association "to promote the general advancement of Mining in this Country"

Council of ten were elected at first council meeting held on same date Harry Johns emerged as first President of the Association of Mine Manager

1910

Departure last batch of Chinese

1913

Start of Prevention of Accidents Committee

1917

Foundation of Anglo American Corporation of South Africa

1920

Members included Managers from Baberton, Klerksdorp and four big coal mines

1923

Discovery of platinum, Bushveld Igneous Complex

1940

Formation of Mines Engineering Brigade

1957

Start sinking Western Deep Levels

1958

New world depth record, ERPM

1960

Pillar collapse at Clydesdale colliery kills 437

1962

Sinkhole swallows recovery plant at West Driefontein, 29 killed

1979

Strike by white miners to continue job reservation

Initial reports on industrial relations by Wiehahn Commission

1980

Gold price hits $850 an ounce

1982

Foundation of National Union of Mineworkers

1986

Insulation material catches fire at Kinross, 177 killed

1992

Centenary banquet of Association of Mine Managers

1994

Collapse of slimes dam wall at Merriespruit

1995

Shaft accident at Vaal Reefs, 106 dead