Two of mining major Kumba Iron Ore’s mines have been recognised for their exceptional safety performances in 2008 at the yearly Anglo American CE safety awards.

The iron-ore-producing Thabazimbi mine was the joint winner of the Most Improved Opera- tion award and the high-energy fuel plant team at the iron-ore producing Sishen mine was highly commended in the Employee Safety category.

All Anglo operations worldwide compete for these prestigious awards. The awards have been broadened this year to recognise not just operations but also the crucial role that employees and contractor teams play as an inspiration to others to work more safely.

The winners were announced at the Anglo American CE dinner held on May 20, 2009, at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg.

Speaking at the event, Anglo CEO Cynthia Carroll said: “Safety is a core Anglo value and nowhere is it better brought to life than through the Chief Executive Safety Awards.”

“Each of the nominees for this year’s awards exemplifies what safety in Anglo is all about. Showing genuine care and concern, taking responsibility for your own safety and that of others, and the continual pursuit of outstanding safety performance. The significant safety steps we are taking are being reflected in an improved safety performance,” said Carroll.

Last year, Kumba’s Thabazimbi mine did not have a single lost-time injury. The management team at the mine, which has been in opera- tion since 1934, had until recently relied on a systems-based approach to controlling safety performance. The leadership team decided that, to achieve its zero-harm goals, a more inte- grated approach was required, despite the site being fatality free since 2002.

The company says that the team has, therefore, focused its efforts on developing the skills and competence of the workforce so that they can carry out their jobs safely. Further, the company says that the leader-driven ‘safety through empowerment of people’ process is also used to engage with, motivate and recognise employees for achieving safety milestones.

“When managers walk through the plant at Thabazimbi, the first thing you notice is that they know every employee by name. They live our value of care and respect,” says Thabazimbi mine GM Emmy Leeka.

“Safety is a way of life for the team, who are responsible for the manufacturing, blending and storage of mining explosive material. Everyone looks out for one another. This is evident in the plant’s performance of 18 years without a lost-time injury,” says Sishen mine GM Andrew Loots.