Safety and inclusion go hand-in-hand locally (Part 2)

Compiled by Sharyn Macnamara

#InspireInclusion was celebrated on International Women’s Day (IWD) locally, when ten inspirational women miners – nominated by their colleagues for the work they have done to make their workplace and the industry safer – took to the stage.

In South Africa, on 7 March 2024, safety and inclusion went hand-in-hand when the annual Women in Mining Heroes campaign run by the Minerals Council – on behalf of its more than 70 member companies and associations – gave inspiration to women in the mining industry with the acknowledgement that their contributions are recognised and valued. Part one of our series sets the scene, delineating the context of mining for women in South Africa. Part two homes in on the difference these extraordinary women have made in their immediate working environments, while going above and beyond the call of duty.

Safety and inclusion go hand in hand on so many levels in the industry. Mark Munroe, Impala Platinum chief technical officer, in his keynote address at the event hosted by the Minerals Council in March, said, “Economic empowerment encompasses the creation of an environment where women have the opportunity to actively participate in and benefit from economic activities on an equal basis with men. It involves providing women with the tools, resources and opportunities they need to realise their full potential, both personally and professionally.”

It also involves creating a safe environment for women to work in and women are making the difference themselves in their environments when it comes to safety with an understanding of exactly what women need to work with peace of mind and achieve optimally.

Charmaine Matlou: Advancing gender diversity and inclusion

Charmaine Matlou serves as the chair of Women in Mining (WiM) at Northam Platinum, where she plays a crucial role in guiding the organisation towards advancing gender diversity and inclusion in the mining industry. Her responsibilities include fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for women in the field, advocating for equal opportunities and addressing gender-related challenges. Matlou shares that being selected as a Safety Hero has been a positive and empowering experience, fostering a sense of belonging and leadership at Northam Platinum. In her role as chairperson, Matlou is tasked with participating in strategic decision-making, networking and collaborating with the WiM structure. Additionally, she is responsible for implementing various safety interventions, such as: ladies flame and chemical-proof PPE and ladies safety gloves with a more suited, comfortable and safer fit such as double padded designs built for durability, and smaller gloves to accommodate smaller hands; a panic button installed in all ladies’ change houses to ensure help in an emergency; sanitary pouch – an easy to carry light pouch with compartments that assists women in handling sanitary ware during menstrual cycles, improving underground hygiene for all; wide-calf ladies underground boots to improve daily mobility, comfort and performance; miner’s underground waist padded belt with shoulder support to reinforce the waist from the weight of equipment, like Res-Q packs, camp lamps and first aid bags; laundry bags – with identification tags designed to keep ladies’ personal garments organised. Matlou remains committed to challenging gender stereotypes and contributing to diversity in a male-dominated industry, while simultaneously fostering a positive influence on her fellow women colleagues and the broader community.

Juvena Naidoo: Contractor Management System of Work

South32’s Juvena Naidoo, a surface plant production manager at Wessels Mine in Hotazel, heads up the Contractor Management System of Work. She led a team that developed a ground-breaking system of work that has been implemented and has improved mine safety. Naidoo explains, “Two years ago, South32 embarked on a journey to design the Contractor Management System of Work, which was based on several fatality learnings from across our business, and I was tasked to lead this initiative.” The improved process ensures that contractors follow a standard and consistent approach to safety. Using advanced technology to ensure that all contractors meet the company’s safety requirements, it includes monitoring and measuring legal compliance, as well as competencies and capabilities – before contractors can access sites. The operation also conducts routine workplace verifications to validate the safety and environment of all workspaces. Technology like cameras and panic buttons are used. This approach has made all employees more confident about their safety and has empowered the female workforce.
“I was humbled and blessed to be able to serve by implementing a process which guarantees safe outcomes for our people.”

Nandi Sibanyoni: Risk reduction interventions and visible leadership

Nandi Sibanyoni, the executive head for Safety and Sustainable Development at Kumba Iron Ore oversees and develops systems that ensure that safety is integrated in all operations. Focusing on risk-reduction interventions and visible leadership on site has made a difference. Sibanyoni says, “I was humbled by the nomination. I would like to give credit to the thousands of men and women, as well as service partners of Khumba Iron Ore, who for 365 days and 24/7, stand for safety – and are unconditional about it.”

Emma Motlhasedi advocates for health, safety, security, wellbeing of WiM

Motlhasedi is HR co-ordinator, Transformation at Anglo American Platinum and also chairs the North West Rustenburg Region Women in Mining (WiM) Tripartite Forum. She has gone well beyond the basic Mine Health and Safety Act and the Occupational Health and Safety regulations requirements to advocate for the promotion of health, safety, security and wellbeing of women at the mine. The Amandelbult operation has received awards from MHSC and DMRE for putting measures in place to address the ‘top six WiM challenges to safety’, namely: security of women in the workplace; isolated areas; facilities; sexual harassment; pregnancy and gender-based violence. Motlhasedi has advocated for the implementation of panic buttons and a harassment and victimisation policy and raises awareness of bullying and victimisation. Her advocacy includes ensuring that victims, survivors and whistleblowers know where to report cases and that support is available for those impacted – including their dependents. Amongst other initiatives, Anglo American Platinum provides safe homes and facilities to deliver physical and psychological safety. Motlhasedi says, “A mining career promises an enriching and rewarding journey where one can evolve and excel. It offers opportunities to learn and explore different environments and innovative technology.”

Yogen Chetty: Management of high-risk work competencies

Health Safety, Environment, Risk (HSER) and programme manager at South32, Yogen Chetty has led various initiatives dedicated to enhancing safety practices at the operation over the past 30 years. She is currently implementing a comprehensive end-to-end safety solution aimed at ensuring that only individuals with the necessary skills and competencies are engaged in high-risk work, including the introduction of a skills matrix for both employees and contractors outlining explicit competency requirements that seamlessly integrate with the gate access control systems. The safety solution is also helpful to learners, enabling them to monitor their training progress and identify competency gaps, while empowering supervisors to optimise human resource planning. It is designed to foster a risk reduction mindset and promote safe behaviours, ultimately elevating the business’s safety controls to function as engineering controls within the hierarchy of control measures. “In my role, I not only have the unique opportunity to touch the hearts and minds of people, but I also have the opportunity to be a catalyst for change… I am truly honoured to be named a woman in mining Safety Hero and I am committed to driving the women in mining as well as the culture transformation agenda. We must continue to strive for excellence in safety in the mining industry. Together, we can make a difference.”

Keele Letsipa: Prevention, diagnosis and management

Keele Letsipa is changing safety norms at Exxaro, motivated by the tragic loss of her father Maipato Letsipa in a mine incident in 1997. Letsipa is the group manager for Safety and Health at Exxaro. Her role is to ensure that operations comply with occupational health, hygiene and safety rules, regulations and internal Exxaro standards. She implements Exxaro’s tried-and-tested safety focus areas in prevention of diseases and exposure to environmental hazards, including health and hygiene strategies which revolve around prevention, diagnosis and management. For a grateful Keele, the Safety Hero nomination is an opportunity to encourage more women to join and actively participate in the mining industry. She credits leaders like Exxaro CEO Dr Nombasa Tsengwa, for paving the way for women in the mining industry. Exxaro has embarked on a campaign to re-invigorate it’s five focus areas in order to ultimately eliminate the safety risks associated with working conditions, save lives and create a conducive working environment. “I am challenged to continue driving safety through implementation of preventative measures to deliver on our Zero Harm goal – one death or injury is one to many!” says Letsipa.

Young women considering a career in mining can safely take inspiration from these 10 women nominated by their peers and colleagues as heroes in the mining industry. They have built careers for themselves in which they are realising their full potential and are making a difference!

Watch this space for more on the difference being made by women in mining, where African Mining showcases yet another five dynamic women in mining in part three of our series. 

Listen to the ladies talk about their experience of their role here.

To read the first part of the African Mining, incorporating Mining Mirror series visit: Safety and inclusion go hand-in-hand locally on IWD 2024 and beyond (Part 1), here.

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