Earthquakes aren’t generally something we worry about too much in South Africa, but on 5 August, a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck the mining region of Orkney in the North West, killing one man and injuring over 30 miners. More than 600 houses were also damaged. Again, on 22 August, a 4.6 magnitude earthquake hit parts of Johannesburg. According to Professor Andrzej Kijko from the University of Pretoria’s Natural Hazard Centre, mining in this region can activate natural faults and he believes that 95% of South Africa’s earthquakes are actually caused by mining. Parts of Gauteng, the economic power hub of Africa, are in the vicinity of the African Rift system which is being pulled apart by a few millimetres annually, putting huge stress on the earth’s crust. So, as a business, are you prepared for the “big one”? According to Doctor Chris Hartnady, technical director of Umvoto Africa, South Africa is in a “critically stressed state” when it comes to the potential for a dangerous earthquake. He firmly believes that parts of our country are susceptible to breaking up and causing the big earthquake we all fear. As a country, we do not have a history of extreme natural disasters, and perhaps we have become too relaxed. If you trade in an area that is susceptible to earthquake activity, consider your risk profile. Have you got the correct insurance cover in place? If an earthquake were to disrupt your supply chain, are you covered appropriately? Consider whether your cover extends to covers for suppliers’ failure to supply goods resulting from earthquakes and other perils. It’s time to speak to your specialist marine insurance broker – because you just never know when the “big” one may occur, and with possible dire consequences to your company…
