Singida Regional Commissioner Halima Dendego has emphasized the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to promote occupational health and safety, particularly within the mining industry.

RC Dendego made the call during her visit to the government’s jointly-owned Twiga Minerals pavilion at the ongoing Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) International Week commemorations in Singida.

“Advanced machinery, vehicles, and digital technologies are catalysts for operational transformation in the mining sector,” she said.

“With the use of digital and artificial intelligence (AI) systems, miners can significantly enhance the safety of workers and surrounding communities. This is something that should be fully supported and emulated by other companies in the mining sector,” added RC Dendego.

This year’s OSHA Week was themed “The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Technology in Enhancing Health and Safety in the Workplace.”  The eight-day exhibition, held at Mandewa grounds in Singida Region under the theme ‘Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalisation’, attracted residents and various leaders who visited exhibitors and witnessed demonstrations of modern digital technologies used to prevent disasters and workplace accidents.

RC Dendego emphasized the importance of continued investment in modern technologies to maintain high standards of occupational health and safety, as demonstrated at Twiga’s mines.

Briefing the Regional Commissioner, North Mara Mine Safety Superintendent Meshack Issack said the mine had adopted modern underground gold mining machinery to replace human labor, greatly enhancing health and safety standards.

“We have international-standard automated machines operated remotely from offices. These machines detect potential risks in underground rock structures,” Issack said.

He added that the transition from traditional mining practices to smart systems had simplified tasks, saved time, improved safety and health outcomes, and allowed operators to manage operations remotely.

“We use mobile equipment that not only increases efficiency and productivity but also ensures higher safety levels. Our systems can detect lightning, tremors, or any underground rock issues and immediately notify operators to take preventive action,” he noted.

Chrisant Madubu, Underground Mining Safety Trainer at Bulyanhulu Mine, said the company is implementing smart workplace practices, including replacing paper-based systems with digital processes to enhance health and safety operations.

“Our ‘Journey to Zero’ campaign is aimed at ensuring that all company workers are safe at all times, from the beginning of their shifts to when they return home. We’ve extended this campaign beyond the company to educate and protect surrounding communities as well,” Madubu said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ludovick Sirima, Health and Safety Lead at Buzwagi Mine, emphasized that even though the mine is in the closure phase following the end of gold extraction, occupational health and safety remain a top priority.

"Among other initiatives, we are preparing to establish a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) that will sustain employment and business opportunities after mine closure. The SEZ will prioritize workplace health and safety and aims to become a cornerstone of industrial transformation in the Lake Zone,” Dr. Sirima explained.