Sierra Rutile Ltd staff newsletter 8

DECEMBER 2013
2013 Q4 RUTILE PRODUCTION VERSUS TARGETS -
THRESHOLD, BUDGET AND STRETCH
JOHN SISAY, CEO ADDRESSES THE CONCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS
MEETING OF 2013
40,000
35,000
30,000
36,059
36,118
32,726
31,145
RUTILE, MT
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
12,008
12,837
10,048 10,558
11,652 11,912 11,629 12,139
10,028 10,537 11,070 11,632
5,000
0
Q4 Totals Oct Nov Dec
Actual Threshold Budget Stretch
In December we produced 12,139 mt of Rutile which was above budget, SGR product quality for the month was 95.2% TiO2
EHS AIMS FOR ZERO HARM AND ZERO PROPERTY DAMAGE IN 2014
Comparative figures for 2012 and
2013 released by the EHS
department show that Sierra
Rutile’s safety performance
continues to improve, with 2013
safety performance indices far
outweighing 2012 performance in
all areas except property damage.
In 2012 we registered four Lost
Time Injury (LTI) cases, compared to none in 2013. Medical Treatment
Incidents (MTIs) also dropped from 43 in 2012 to 14 in 2013. Property
damage cases are almost the same for both periods.
RUTSSA BIDS FAREWELL TO 20 RETIREES
Retirees displaying certificates awarded
to them by RutSSA
The Sierra Rutile Senior Staff
Association (RutSSA) in
December 2013 organised a
memorable retirement party
for 18 senior staff and two
management staff, who had
reached the retirement age
of 60 years. The party was also a celebration of the dedicated service that
these employees had given to SRL.
The RutSSA president, Brima Kondovor Caulker described the retirees as
pillars of SRL, saying: “They have built a very strong foundation for the new
generation and I hope that the knowledge they have passed on to the
The excellent safety performance in 2013 can be attributed to the Safety
Management System introduced by the EHS Department in 2012. This
system includes risk assessments, the introduction of work instructions in
addition to Job Safety Analysis, intensification of pre-start safety inductions,
toolbox talks and worksite inspections. Additionally, the department
reviewed the safety representatives list, making reappointments and new
appointments. A series of training sessions, focusing mainly on legal
requirements, fire safety and emergency preparedness and response, has
further increased awareness in these areas. The EHS department also
collaborates with an external consultant in the planning, documentation
and implementation of a process leading to the internationally recognized
OSHAS 18001 certification process.
younger staff will be used to ensure the continuation of their good work.”
Speaking on behalf of management, Operations Manager, Desmond Gordon
Williams wished the retirees every success in their future endeavours.
“Most of the retirees have been part of the pre and post war history of SRL
and management will continue to be grateful to them for their selfless
services to the company,” he said.
Patrick Joseph Kanu a founding member of RutSSA thanked the association
for organising the farewell party and said: “I am proud to say that I am
leaving a happy man with the conviction that things are changing for the
better.” He was joined in his wishes for the company’s future prosperity by
Peter Sawyer who joined the company in the early 70s and Sam Brima who
joined in 1968.
It is a pleasure to address my first communications meeting; and the closing meeting of 2013. I hope it will be constructive.
This has been a testing but great year for Sierra Rutile.
To combat the challenges of a softening market in mineral sands, we instituted an efficiency and cost-cutting drive and I am pleased to say we are
tracking to achieve our targets. Unfortunately the market is still bad and prices remain lower, but because you and your efficiency efforts are
making it possible for us to sell our product and still make a profit, I remain confident we will meet our goals.
Next year it is expected that the world will come out of global recession. As far as Sierra Rutile is concerned, we will continue to encounter
challenges. For us to serve as a benchmark within Sierra Leone and within the mineral sands industry, we will need to continue our productivity
drive, keeping in place programmes to deliver efficient and cost effective operations.
You have proved your ability to turnaround the operational side of the business. Three years ago, we could at best produce 6000 tonnes a month.
Today you can deliver 11,000 tonnes a month of rutile with no worries. Our next step is to turnaround our people.
To achieve that we have embarked upon The Sierra Rutile Way. This is the vehicle we will use to drive change in the human resources of the
company. The Sierra Rutile Way articulates the attitudes ethics and behaviours that everyone should embody. We need everyone to think as a
manager; to think as an HOD; to challenge each other and to take the success of the business personally.
As part of The Sierra Rutile Way, we have introduced the High Potential (HiPo) Programme. HiPos are staff with the right attitude, commitment and
demonstrable ability. From Sierra Rutile, they will receive management training, special pay, and special attention. In return we are all entitled to
expect, demand, that they do excellent work.
Complementing the High Potential scheme, is the Rapid Management Development Programme, which focuses on developing the leadership skills
of 8-10 key people, within the organisation.
Neither the High Potential scheme, nor the Rapid Management Development Programme are based on favouritism. They are based on merit;
because merit is how we will take the company forward.
It should never be a surprise when someone is promoted. You may not like them, but this is because they challenge you. We promote people who
behave, talk, think like managers already. In this organisation, we will not allow talent to wither and die because it has been suppressed from the
top. 2014 will be the year we make that change.
For 2014, I pray that we continue our outstanding safety record. I pray the market turns and I also hope you can all reaffirm your commitment to
making Sierra Rutile the best mining company, not just in Sierra Leone, but worldwide. At Sierra Rutile, we should be proud to say, we do things
differently, we do things properly, efficiently and honestly. We do things The Sierra Rutile Way.