we celebrate the outstanding PeoPle oF KuMba iron ... - Words' Worth

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we celebrate the outstanding PEOPLE OF KUMBA IRON ORE
2011

category:
Sustainability
category:
Sustainability SAFEty
we celebrate
african achievers
SAFETY
What the judges looked for:
• The measurable difference that the person or team has made to improving safety where they work.
• Improvements must be firmly embedded and can be sustained over the long term.
Speech by Chris Griffith, Chief Executive of Kumba Iron Ore, at the annual
Laurel Awards evening on 22 June 2011.
At Kumba’s annual Laurel Awards evening we honour those
among us who have set the pace in the previous calendar
year. The Laurel Awards are a celebration of our best efforts
as individuals and as teams – specifically in the fields of
safety, sustainability, innovation, and partnership. However,
we do not limit ourselves to these categories only, but also
recognise the efforts of exceptional achievers in other fields.
inception meant that the Trust could pay off its debt six years
earlier than originally envisaged. This will free up hundreds
of millions of Rand for development projects in our host
communities and our labour-sending areas in coming years.
Over and above this, Kumba has invested R134 million in
the last year in the social and economic development of the
communities in which we operate.
In his speech Chris Griffith, CEO of Kumba,
honoured people making a difference, in a
company making a difference.
Highlights
Last year, I said that 2009 was probably Kumba’s best year
ever. History has since proven me wrong, as 2010 was in
many respects an even better year judging from the following
achievements:
l At year-end we recorded 3,3 million lost time injury (LTI)-
free man-hours at Sishen Mine, and the mine went on to
set a new LTI- free record of more than six million manhours.
l Over the same period the Kolomela Project recorded a
massive 8,6 million LTI-free man-hours and the Kolomela
Mine also worked for the whole year without any LTI,
which is an excellent performance for a new crew on a
new mine. Remarkably, the Project is still going strong and
is about to pass the 13 million LTI-free mark. Well done to
you all.
l We also more than doubled our headline earnings in 2010
to R14,3 billion (106% up on 2009);
l We grew production at Sishen Mine by 5% to 41,3Mt;
l We achieved a 6% increase in export sales volumes to
36,1Mt;
l We kept the increase in unit cash costs to 15%; and
l We saved R340 million by optimising the use and size
of our fleet, through our mining maintenance project and
enhancements to drilling and blasting processes.
Dividends
Kumba paid a final cash dividend of R6,8 billion (R21 a
share), which benefited our shareholders, our employees and
the communities in which we operate. We are particularly
proud of the R341 million in dividends we paid to Envision
from the final 2010 SIOC dividend – and I am sure the
members are looking forward to a healthy boost to their
finances later this year when the scheme matures.
Exceptionally, the R989 million in dividends we have
paid to the SIOC Community Development Trust since its
Kolomela
Another highlight was that we managed to keep the
Kolomela Mine development on schedule and within
budget, stripping 18,6Mt of waste material during 2010 and
achieving a half-yearly run rate of 10,4Mt.
Awards
These achievements and others are reflected in the numerous
awards we received last year. These included Best Mining
Company to Work for in the Deloitte Best Company to Work
for survey; Top performing Company of the Year in the 8th
Annual African Access National Business Awards; runner-up
for the second year in the Sunday Times Business Times Top
100 companies survey; a Best Performer in the 2010 JSE
Social Responsibility Index, and being ranked fifth in the Ernst
& Young Excellence in Sustainability Reporting awards.
While impressive, these achievements do not tell the full
story – they paint the big picture, but do not adequately
reflect the individual and team efforts of our people. That is
why we have our Laurel Awards – in recognition of the fact
that Kumba can only achieve through its people. You are
truly people making a difference, in a company making a
difference.
A record number of 223 employees (compared to 193 in
2010) are receiving Laurel Awards, fifteen individuals and
the rest as members of 29 teams.
Fourteen of these awards (five individual awards and
nine team awards) have also been nominated for the global
Anglo American Applaud recognition scheme that will be
adjudicated later this year.
In true Kumba spirit, prizes to the value of R240 000 will
be donated to a range of charities on behalf of the winners in
the various categories. Each Gold, Silver and Bronze winner
will have the opportunity tonight to draw the name of a
charity, which will each receive R20 000 on his or her behalf.
Thanks once again for all your efforts this past year.
t
Gold
Contemporary heroes in the realm of safety
Team: Pieter Rossouw, Hennie Kaltwasser, Willem Roux, Marthinus Engelbrecht, Mick de Pierres,
Floyd Glen Botha, Wayne Kenneth Hibbert, Pieter Theron Walters, Cornelius Jacobus Höll
During 2010 Kolomela (previously Sishen South Project) recorded a Kumba first by achieving 10 million LTI free man-hours. This
record, which surpasses the previous record of 5,4 million LTI free man-hours, has truly raised the bar on safety company-wide.
In addition to the obvious benefits of achieving Zero Harm for this length of time, the company also reaped significant financial
benefits from this exceptional safety record.
Team members attribute this milestone achievement to leader Pieter Rossouw’s exceptional leadership skills. Pieter
displayed on a personal level what it meant to lead and visibly demonstrate the key value of safety to achieve Zero Harm.
The systems and procedures developed by Pieter’s team have subsequently become the standard across all Kumba
operations, paving the way to achieving Zero Harm. Their impact has also permeated the contractor community. Contractors
and Kumba staff alike have been called upon to comply with a variety of safety initiatives rolled out by Anglo American and
Kumba during the review period. While these initiatives were well supported by the project team, a special management
approach was required to encourage contractors to buy-in and accept the additional workload required to comply. This required
a substantial mind shift from conventional construction practices.
Special mention must be made of the team’s contractor management manual, largely developed by Hennie Kaltwasser,
which is expected to become a Best Practice reference document for all future contractor management on Kumba projects, as
an element of the Safety Management System.
The team’s achievement is particularly significant against a backdrop of unexpectedly losing some key members of the
management team during 2009. Pieter stepped up to the plate at this difficult time to reorganise and lead the project, not only
to its milestone safety record, but also to come in ahead of schedule and under budget.
Marthinus Engelbrecht, Willem Roux, Floyd
Glen Botha, Mick de Pierres, Dina Kaltwasser
(accepting on behalf of her husband, Hennie)
and Pieter Rossouw.
This project
has also been
nominated for
Anglo American’s
global recognition
system, Applaud.
1

category:
Sustainability
SAFETY
category:
Sustainability SAFEty
Silver
Bronze
t
Two years of Zero Harm at Kolomela
Team: Aart van den Brink, Rita Gopalkista, Christelle van Jaarsveld, Franco Lewis,
Msimelelo Silomomtu, Jaco Lambrechts, Jacky Lourence, Kotie Kroch, Pravin Maharaj
Under the exceptional leadership of Aart van den Brink, the SHEQ team has achieved zero LTI man-hours since operational
activities started at Kolomela Mine in September 2009.
Aart is well known among his colleagues for his genuine concern for the safety of all Kolomela employees and for
demonstrating through his day-to-day leadership approach that he truly believes all injuries are preventable.
The SHEQ team has proved that it is possible to obtain a high level of safety performance from a new team of individuals
working in a new environment. At the start of activities at Kolomela, the team compiled a safety management system from
scratch, since the mine is a greenfields project and there was no baseline to work from. They burned the midnight oil to
ensure that SHEQ standards and systems were put in place within a record time that would elevate safety to top priority.
Irrespective of their various disciplines on the project, team members came together as one to ensure a mine-wide safety
commitment to Zero Harm. The SHE department establishes and drives the safety focus at Kolomela Mine and the team is
always willing to offer its support, by performing tasks and activities that are the direct responsibility of line management.
SHEQ team members have adopted a hands-on approach to safety, spending most of their time in the field, mentoring,
coaching employees and working to establish a culture of safety consciousness. They lead by example, ensuring that no
rules and regulations are ever compromised – thereby instilling the value of integrity in the project team and associated
contractors.
This project
has also been
nominated for
Anglo American’s
global recognition
system, Applaud.
Franco Lewis,
Pravin Maharaj,
Rita Gopalkista,
Jacky Lourence,
Jaco Lambrechts and
Aart van den Brink.
t
AA Burden , Kobus Venter and Johan Rohmann.
RUNNER-UP
Safety follows
where he goes
Individual: Flippie Brits
Flippie Brits.
Flippie really walks the talk when it comes to safety — and the results follow him everywhere
he goes. He is widely regarded as an inspiring person who has a clear and professional ability
to get critical jobs done quickly and safely. He also has excellent communication and crossfunctional
coordinating skills.
A full-time SHE-representative at Sishen, Flippie was involved in five different sections
during 2010. Safety performance, as well as production, improved in each of these sections as
a direct result of his input.
His desire to achieve Zero Harm lifts his performance way above the actual requirements
of his position and he strives to inspire workers, contractors and clients alike to reach for
greater safety. He willingly goes out of his way, even working after-hours and over weekends,
to ensure that the correct actions have been taken in a specific area and he has acted as a
safety officer without any remuneration.
He often coordinates with functions such as civil, mining and electrical services to ensure
they meet minimum safety requirements. As a direct result, response and execution of
critical actions and measurements to assist line personnel in normal production activities
improved tenfold.
Flippie provides assistance in terms of inspections, risk assessments and guidance to
proactively measure safety procedures to prevent any accidents or incidents. He is also very
assertive in handling transgressions of rules and regulations.
He is an inspiration to everyone at Sishen and a shining example of the core values of
Safety and Care.
t
Industrial theatre drives
home a powerful message
Team: Kobus Venter, Johan Rohmann, AA Burden,
JW Waldeck, SM Willemse, MG Dikgetsi, W Vermuelen,
RJ Scholtz, GR de Wee, KC Keetile, JR Brand, GJ Gae,
BM Matihare, VK Brink, FM Willemse, TV Hartebees,
PJ Davids, II Motseonageng, G Saal, WF Willemse,
BC Cornelissen, OG Kalman, AJ Janse van Rensburg,
SC Visagie, TV Moemedi, B Modise, C Phuthi,
Functional training plant personnel and learnership
group members
There is no need to dig very deep to uncover real talent at Sishen
Mine. Kobus Venter of Functional Training Plant believes that
Zero Harm is possible and this passionate conviction motivated
him to write and direct an industrial theatre production entitled “If
only…” Based on a poem called “Eyes wide open”, the production
was performed by plant personnel and enthusiastic young
members of the learnership.
In a very creative and engaging way – that did not require
external resources – the play showcased Zero Harm principles,
safety systems and processes, focusing on the significance
of being “my brother’s keeper” and on the realities of the
consequences of one’s choices.
Since the implementation of this industrial theatre piece from
October 2010 to December 2010, more than 2 000 Sishen
employees, 300 contractors and 200 Kolomela employees
attended this production. Not long after this, Sishen Mine achieved
5 million LTI-free man hours. Clearly, through the visual message
of industrial theatre, this team has contributed towards the mine’s
exceptional performance.
Requests are still coming in for repeat performances of the
production, from mine departments and contractors alike, as well
as beyond the mine, including requests for employees’ family
members to attend.
If only… has played a huge part in driving home the importance
of Zero Harm behaviour. This team has established a new
benchmark in communicating the safety message on an emotional
level. Kobus was determined to tap into new realms of creativity to
sensitise the workforce about taking responsibility for their actions
and has succeeded beyond expectation in the task he set himself.
This project has also
been nominated for Anglo
American’s global recognition
system, Applaud.
2
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category:
Sustainability
sustainability
category:
Sustainability
sustainability
What the judges looked for:
• The difference that the person or team has made whether in terms of benefits to the communities and societies
in which we operate or the way we are reducing our impact on the environment (through better use of resources,
recycling or reducing carbon emissions).
Gold
t
Cultivating fruitful
relationships
Individual: Oduetse Kolberg
Alta Buys, Toekie Schoeman, Ricardo van Staden and Nanabi Tsheko.
Oduetse’s remarkable negotiation skills fostered positive stakeholder engagement
and ensured that one of Sishen Mine’s principal SLP projects was successfully
initiated at the end of 2010.
His dedication and willingness to attend protracted community meetings after
hours ensured that the Manyeding Cultivation Project has become one of Sishen
Mine’s many sustainable success stories.
The Manyeding Cultivation Project was a very sensitive initiative as the project
was implemented in an area known for conflict between tribal authorities and
residents regarding the ownership and rights to water from the seven natural
springs in the area.
The project initially experienced many setbacks, including political interference.
However, Oduetse remained single-minded throughout the process, maintaining
high levels of professionalism that fostered stakeholders’ trust in Sishen Mine. This
was so evident that community beneficiaries refused to talk to any stakeholders
unless Sishen Mine facilitated the discussion.
The successful roll-out of this showcase project is an outstanding achievement,
particularly considering that similar projects were unsuccessfully piloted three times
before in this community. Oduetse’s involvement in establishing and facilitating
communication between the Manyeding community and Sishen Mine has
successfully forged an exclusive, much sought-after partnership.
During the launch ceremony, the tribal chief referred to Oduetse as one
of the tribe’s brothers — a rare honour and fitting tribute to one man’s unique
negotiating skills.
Oduetse Kolberg.
This project has also been nominated
for Anglo American’s global
recognition system, Applaud.
t
Silver
Dedicated leadership and unremitting teamwork
Team: Alta Buys, ML De Klerk, LD Diphapo, F Douglas, LP Maclyn, OL Monnaatlale, HB Nel,
TM Nkwatswang, GE Schoeman, IB Seribe, E Steyn, LD Tsheko, RC Van Staden
The Ulysses Gogi Modise (UGM) Wellness Clinic has become an oasis of help, support and inspiration in the midst of a
tempestuous health care climate.
The clinic was established in 2007 as a public/private partnership between Sishen Mine, the Department of Health and the
Gamagara Local Municipality. Since then it has effectively changed the face of HIV awareness and treatment in the Gamagara
area and proved that public/private partnerships can be very successful. The clinic recently broadened its horizons to serve
Kolomela and Thabazimbi mines and African Rainbow Minerals’ Khumani and Beeshoek mines with mobile clinics.
The facility assisted Kumba Iron Ore to become the first company to register on the SABCOHA (South African Business
Coalition on HIV and AIDS) Bizwell website, as a responsible reporter of HCT (HIV Counselling & Testing) statistics. It is also
registered as the company’s first HCT service provider.
The clinic has met Kumba’s need for an effective, long-term HIV/AIDS solution for its employees and their dependants,
contractors and the local community. Prior to its establishment, the nearest antiretroviral (ARV) centre was 50 km away.
Under the dedicated leadership of clinic manager Alta Buys, and with support from the Department of Health and local
stakeholders, six months after opening its doors, the UGM Wellness Clinic received full accreditation as a government ARV site.
Since then 34 679 community members have been educated and 17 374 have accessed Voluntary Counselling and Testing.
Disease management programmes have been initiated for 631 HIV-positive community members who do not have access to
medical aid. More than 152 Kumba employees are also on disease management programmes.
Alta has gone more than the extra mile to make this public/private partnership, with all its complexities and challenges, really
make a difference in the lives of those who need the clinic’s services.
While the clinic’s principal services are HIV-related, the facility also offers screening for conditions such as diabetes,
hypertension, TB, sexually transmitted infections and cancer and provides general health and nutritional education as a part of its
holistic approach to community wellness.
This project
has also been
nominated for
Anglo American’s
global
recognition
system, Applaud.
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