Turnkey mining solutions provider Aveng Mining was awarded safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) integrated management system (IMS) certification in May by multinational inspection, verification, testing and certification company SGS.

Aveng Mining initiated the development of the system in July 2015 and reached full development by the end of 2016. In August 2016, Aveng Mining implemented a gap audit to test the system on selected sites in preparation for certification. The fully fledged implementation of the system across the Aveng Mining business is scheduled for early 2018.

An IMS enables Aveng Mining to identify all key SHEQ risks and ensure that baseline risk assessments for all mining and engineering activities are completed and streamlined. The system also enables the company’s management team to create one integrated system that assists with the effective and efficient delivery of its SHEQ objectives on one training and development platform.

Aveng Mining safety, health, environment, risk and quality director Trevor Nair explains that the IMS not only improves efficiency and effectiveness but also reduces costs by limiting disruptions caused by external audits. This allows for the implementation of management systems and controls without compromising or complicating accountability regarding operational site SHEQ programmes. “It also demonstrates our commitment to enhanced performance, employee and customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement of our in-house control systems.”

Further, the SHEQ IMS creates a combined SHEQ management learning database and maintains all SHEQ best practices in an embedded process that is key to preventing reoccurrences of high-risk-consequence events at project sites.

Aveng Mining’s key intent in implementing a certified SHEQ IMS is to set a safety benchmark that sets it apart from its competitors and position itself as the contractor of choice owing to its stringent standards.

“The implementation of the system will also meet compliance requirements for the draft ISO 45001:2016 standard, ensuring that Aveng Mining remains compliant with global mining safety standards,” Nair comments.

Aveng Mining MD Stuart White concludes: “We are pleased to have achieved this globally recognised SHEQ certification, as it endorses Aveng Mining as one of the pioneers in terms of ensuring best practices.”