Manganese and iron-ore mining company Assmang’s Black Rock mining operation (BRMO), near Hotazel, in the Northern Cape, recorded 12-million fatality-free shifts earlier this year.

This was achieved over a period of 15 years.

Speaking at a celebration event on September 18, held in recognition of the BRMO team for their performance, dedication and commitment to safety, BRMO senior GM Xolani Qamata said the adoption of relevant technologies contributed to the achievement of this milestone.

He explained that these technologies helped eliminate high-risk work in daily operations, thereby enabling smarter and safer ways of conducting business.

“It’s also about creating workplaces that are physically and psychologically safe for all our employees … At BRMO, we pride ourselves in putting safety first. Our safety culture is incapsulated by our slogan, which says no job is so important that it cannot be done safely,” he said.

Qamata acknowledged that the company’s safety efforts were bolstered by the guidance and oversight of its various stakeholders, including the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, organised labour structures and members of the company’s executive committee.

Also speaking at the event, Assmang director Tiaan van Aswegen said that, considering the mining sector presented various risks and challenges, this achievement underscored the company’s focus on safety, adding that this illustrated the company’s resilience and professionalism.

With this in mind, he noted that teamwork and collaboration, as well as continuous training and willingness to adapt to new safety measures and technologies, had also played a pivotal role in achieving this milestone.

“Reaching this remarkable milestone . . .  represents countless hours of vigilance, teamwork and the embodiment of our core values. Each shift that passes without a fatality is a testament to the rigorous standards we uphold, the training we undertake, and, most importantly, the care we demonstrate for one another,” Van Aswegen said.

Echoing this sentiment, BRMO National Union of Mineworkers representative Priscilla Motingwe said the company’s safety programmes, regular drills and continuous education had equipped team members with the knowledge and skills to effectively identify and mitigate risks.

She highlighted that collaboration between different departments and the support from safety officers also played an important role in maintaining a safe working environment.

“Open communication and teamwork have been the cornerstone of our success. By fostering an environment where everyone feels comfortable reporting hazards and suggesting improvements, we have been able to address potential issues before they escalate,” she said.