Health and safety policy
The Group is responsible for maintaining a safe working environment that meets applicable safety requirements, and considers the health and safety of its employees to be a priority. Health and safety is managed at an operational level, with support provided by the Group to ensure health and safety standards exceed legal requirements in both South Africa and China. The Group intends to mirror its South African health and safety culture, policies and procedures at its Chinese operations. As required by South African regulations, a Mine Health and Safety Committee has been established which approves and implements all mandatory safety training. Contracted safety officers and safety staff employed by the Group oversee inspections of actual work performance and site conditions, as well as identify and allocate any necessary corrective actions.
Environmental policy
The Group is committed to protecting the environment and conducts all operations in an environmentally sound manner, ensuring compliance with all applicable national and local laws and regulations. Among other matters, the tailings storage facilities have been designed and will be constructed in such a way that there will be no long-term rehabilitation liabilities. The Group has applied for an integrated licence from the South African Department of Water Affairs (DWA) so that it may conduct its water use and waste disposal activities under the National Water Act, 36 of 1998. As is not uncommon for the approval of DWA to take several years to grant such licenses, the Group has undertaken to continue at its own risk pending a final decision on the application.
Land rehabilitation
The Group intends to conduct its land rehabilitation undertakings concurrently with the mine's operational phase in order to limit the financial, environmental and social impact of the decommissioning and closure stages. As is required by the relevant mining legislation, a detailed closure plan will be submitted to the South African Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) prior to decommissioning and closure.
Community relations
The Group is committed to developing long-term and positive relationships with the communities within which it operates. The Tharisa Mine has set up an engagement forum which liaises with the local community steering committee. The current issue being addressed by this forum is the relocation of informal residents from the Tharisa Mine site. The Group is in the process of constructing new homes and providing infrastructure such as roads, water sewerage and a community hall. It is intended that corporate social responsibility projects for the benefit of communities surrounding the Tharisa Ferrochrome Smelter will also be considered and implemented following approval of the initial project application.