Zuma to focus on safety, black ownership in mining

* Wants communities to benefit from mining ops

* Says few black ownership deals successful

JOHANNESBURG, May 30 (Reuters) - South Africa's President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday he plans to focus on enforcing safety measures to curb mining deaths which have hurt output and to review black ownership in the mining industry.

In a speech delivered to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the new president also said he would ensure local communities benefited from mining activities in their areas.

"We need to vigorously support and entrench a culture of zero harm in this industry ... the safety record of our mines has become a central issue that will be placed under the scrutiny of government," he told the union members at a gala event.

Last week alone, at least nine workers died in mining operations across the country.

In 2008, the total fatality figure amounted to 168 workers, and a recent safety audit showed mine safety compliance in South Africa was below target at just 66 percent.

Mining companies have suffered production losses after fatalities due to routine shutdowns ordered by the government for investigations, and work stoppages by union members who have vowed to stop work for a day to mark the death of colleagues.