Two Rivers celebrates three-million fatality-free shifts
To celebrate this, a function was held on April 27 during which the Two Rivers Platinum workforce (in excess of 2 200 employees) joined management in a day of fun and to formally launch the mine's "flight to zero harm".
LYDENBURG – Two Rivers Platinum surpassed the milestone of three-million fatality-free shifts on March 1.
It took the mine just over 51 months to reach this milestone.
To celebrate this, a function was held on April 27 during which the Two Rivers Platinum workforce (in excess of 2 200 employees) joined management in a day of fun and to formally launch the mine’s “flight to zero harm”.
The day was celebrated with loads of entertainment including plays, choirs, bands from local communities, flyovers by a chartered jet plane and messages from various guest speakers, including business leader of the mine, Mr JJ Joubert.
Although various prizes were won by employees during the day, the greatest prize of them all was the fact that every employee could safely go back home after work for more than four years.
What could very well be a first for South African mines, Two Rivers staff members requested that the day be arranged on a public holiday. This is not only an indication of employee’s understanding of the Continuous Operation (CONOPS) Cycle worked on Two Rivers Platinum, but also the desire to celebrate this momentous occasion as one team.
During the 51-month period, new production records have also been achieved at various intervals. This supports the old mine saying that safety and production mining definitely go hand in hand.
The celebratory function was followed up with a formal handover ceremony at the mine’s Inyoni Dam, during which African Rainbow Minerals’ St Barbara and the Mine Health and Safety Council’s Millionaire trophies were awarded to Joubert, who accepted it on behalf of the Two Rivers Platinum team.
Various distinguished guests attended this ceremony, including representatives from the African Rainbow Minerals executive, Mine Health and Safety Council, Department of Mineral Resources, general managers of mines in the region, organised labour unions and associations, and senior management and line managers of Two Rivers Platinum.
Three themes were highlighted which encompassed the ethos of the mine’s being: working as one team, employee commitment in becoming pilots of their own safety and that all Two Rivers Platinum employees have a “voice” to speak up when there are unsafe conditions or practices.
“Two Rivers Platinum is proud to be an example and to pave the way for other mining operations in the region and country. We are looking forward to refuel at our next stopover, four-million fatality-free shifts, on our flight to zero harm,” Joubert told the newspaper.
