LIMPOPO – Palabora Copper Mine (PMC) has achieved a major safety milestone, celebrating two years without lost-time injuries (LTI) or fatalities on its Lift Two
Projects.

The accomplishment, credited to the construction and mining teams of Crusher Five, was commemorated on Thursday, March 20, during a special event attended by executive management, senior managers, contractors, miners, and union representatives.

LTI refers to injuries that result in an employee missing a shift or workday.

The last recorded incidents occurred on March 13, 2023, for the construction team and March 20 2023, for the mining team.

Executive manager for Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality, Itumeleng Ngoae, emphasised that safety is the mine’s top priority.

“We celebrate not only our safety systems but also the culture we have built together. By using leading indicators, audits, and inspections, we have been able to anticipate and mitigate risks effectively,” he said.

Mining Operations executive manager Sam Ngidi highlighted the broader industry context, saying that 2 000 mining injuries occur nationally each year and 150 have lost their lives in the last three years. “For PMC to maintain zero LTIs and fatalities is an outstanding achievement, made possible by both God’s grace and the team’s dedication,” he stated.

Aidan Schoonbee, executive manager for Lift Two Projects Contractors and Value Improvement, urged continued vigilance. “We must not become complacent. Every day, we must strive to protect one another,” he warned.

PMC has implemented various safety initiatives over the past two years, including family video messages displayed before miners go underground and the introduction of the Zero Harm Cup, which rewards the safest teams.

Underground Mechanised Mining Project Manager Chris Langeveld reminded workers, “The goal is always to return home safely to our families.”