OSHA Orders Valuers to Adhere to Safety Protocols at North Mara Mine

The Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) in Tanzania has directed experts valuing assets for residents slated for relocation due to the North Mara Gold Mine's new Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) to adhere strictly to safety protocols at all times while carrying out their duties.

This directive underscores OSHA's proactive role in ensuring workplace safety extends beyond traditional industrial settings to include consultancy and field operations, particularly those associated with large-scale development projects. It highlights the critical importance of occupational health and safety (OHS) compliance for all professionals, including valuers and consultants, especially when operating in potentially hazardous or sensitive areas linked to mining operations. The instruction signals regulatory oversight of the broader social and environmental impacts of such projects, emphasizing that the well-being of all personnel involved is paramount.

The legal basis for this directive is the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2003 (OSHA Act), which mandates employers and persons in control of workplaces to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of all persons at work. OSHA, as the statutory body, possesses the authority to issue such directives, conduct inspections, and enforce compliance. This action also implicitly connects to the broader legal framework governing mining operations in Tanzania, which includes requirements for environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) and resettlement action plans (RAPs), where asset valuation is a crucial component.

Key parties in this matter include the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA), the valuation experts conducting the assessments, the residents whose assets are being valued for relocation, and implicitly, the North Mara Gold Mine, which is developing the TSF. The specific Senior OSHA official who issued the directive is not named in the excerpt. The outcome of this directive, beyond its issuance, is not reported.

Attorneys advising mining companies, valuation firms, and consultants involved in large-scale infrastructure or extractive projects must ensure their clients are fully aware of and compliant with OSHA regulations, even for activities that may seem peripheral to direct industrial operations. This includes developing and implementing robust safety protocols for all field staff, providing adequate training, and conducting thorough risk assessments. Non-compliance can lead to significant penalties, work stoppages, and reputational damage, reinforcing that OHS obligations extend to all personnel involved in a project, regardless of their direct employment status with the primary developer.