South Africa may strengthen mining laws because companies are compromising worker safety as they accelerate production amid rising commodity prices, according to Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu. “Where there’re more profits, there is an increase in fatalities,” Shabangu said today in an address to the Cape Town Press Club. “We will not hesitate to stop unsafe mines in order to save the lives of workers who inadvertently fall victim to these lapses” in safety standards. [refers to Anglo American, BHP Billiton, AngloGold Ashanti, Shell]