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oute to remove the quartz and hematite/goethite from thematerial. It was found that around two-thirds of the total silica,and more than half of the Fe 2O 3, could be removed, which as wellas resulting in a higher-quality product, would reduce the formationof “red mud” in the Bayer process.QUALITY, ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETYMintek’s Environmental Management System underwent a successfulaudit, for OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety), will take placein 2007, and that for IS0 9001 (Quality) the following year. Re-assessmentThe Analytical Services laboratories underwent a successful surveillanceaudit for ISO 17025 compliance in 2006.At the end of the period under review, the Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate(LTIFR) was 2.0, compared with the target of 1.0. The Client DissatisfactionFrequency Rate (CDFR), after consistently achieving the target of lessthan 10, rose sharply in the second half of the year. This was due to latedelivery of results, and communication problems with the clients, onseveral minor projects undertaken by one of Mintek’s divisions. Stepshave been taken to remedy these problems.Pics from topto bottom:PersonalProtectionEquipment(PPE) forradiationMonitoring abulk sample ofuranium ore.Mintek’s HIVCommittee.Access topotentiallyhazardousareas isrestrictedto trainedpersonnel.During 2006, two new indices were established: the MajorEnvironmental Incidents Frequency Rate (MEIFR) and PublicDissatisfaction Frequency Rate (PDFR). Mintek’s MEIFR is above thetarget of 5 at the moment. The upward trend is possibly the result ofas corrective action is implemented. The PDFR (which is a subsetof the MEIFR) is also above the target – however, the publicMintek is registered as a uranium testwork facility with the NNRand the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME). A RadiationProtection Programme (RPP) has been incorporated as part ofthe overall Safety, Health, and Environment programme, andan internal audit schedule, incorporating site inspections by theNNR, has been implemented.“During the year, a new laboratory facilityfor characterising diamonds according to theirhydrophobicity (response to grease-table recovery)and luminescence (recovery by X-ray methods) wasfully commissioned.”29annual report 2007