While the Farlam Commission of Inquiry continues to investigate the fatal confrontation that took place at Lonmin’s Marikana mine, in Rustenburg, a year ago – amid pockets of unrest and slow progress – the embattled platinum miner has spent the last year focused on improving employee relations and delivering value to the local community.

In keeping with this dictum, Lonmin’s commemoration of the first anniversary of the tragedy, during which 44 miners, union officials and security personnel were killed, was largely internal.

The mining company started its week-long vigil with companywide prayer services held from August 12 to 16. Employees across Lonmin’s operations observed a minute’s silence at 10:00 each day to remember those who lost their lives during the unprotected strike.

Recognising the effect of commemorating Marikana on the families of the deceased and community members, Lonmin engaged with various stakeholders, including the inter-Ministe- rial task team, to ensure that its first-anniversary observances were appropriate.

The company added in a statement, however, that the best way to honour the memory of those who died would be to ensure that nothing similar happens again.

“The ongoing tension in the industry is testimony to the challenges and obstacles that we still face as an industry. The primary challenge is, therefore, to ensure peace and stability. We are working hard to foster an environment of tolerance and unity of purpose as we go forward.”

Lonmin conceded, however, that this would not be enough to ensure industrywide peace and stability, adding that stability would only be possible if the company continued to work on long-term solutions with all stakeholders.

“We believe that the memory of all those who died demands that Marikana be a catalyst for change,” said Lonmin.

Following the tragedy, the Lonmin board announced five key initiatives at its annual general meeting in January. These initiatives were aimed at rebuilding trust with employees and their representatives to boost the creation of value for all stakeholders and enhance long-term wealth creation and the investment potential of the company.

Lonmin has started working on these issues – including employee relations, empowerment, migrant and local labour, the use of invested capital as well as housing and accommodation – which it regards as fundamental to mining in South Africa in the twenty-first century.

The company acknowledges that the change it has committed to cannot be done alone, which is why Lonmin has been working closely with government to achieve its goals.

“We are committed to the substantive change we believe is required – and we have made a good start. There is no quick solution. This is about collaboration and hard work and we are shaping our dialogue with all employee representatives and other critical stakeholders,” the company states.

As part of the company’s response to the anni- versary of Marikana, Lonmin has implemented projects that will have a positive, long-lasting impact on its employees and host communities.

Following extensive engagement with communities, the platinum miner identified a need for multi-use community centres to facilitate access to information, training, leisure and study faci- lities that will include a managed library with e-learning facilities and a multipurpose hall for cultural, sporting and educational purposes.

As a result, Lonmin has been working in partnership with the principals of eight schools in the greater Lonmin community to establish Phatsima Centres of Excellence at each school with the aim of creating a safe place for children to study and do research, further providing them with easy access to information, with a focus on e-learning.

Lonmin is currently consulting with govern- ment and the relevant stakeholders about the development of the centres, as part of the company’s broader commitment to providing quality education and skills programmes for community members.

Moreover, surrounding communities will have access to the centres outside school hours to run community programmes such as adult basic education and training programmes.

Further, in conjunction with black economic- empowerment partner Shanduka Resources, Lonmin set up the Sixteen Eight Memorial Trust Fund last year to fund the education of those children whose parents died in the period leading up to and including August 16, 2012.

Lonmin previously envisaged that the 147 children listed as beneficiaries would receive the education available in their areas. However, after visiting some of the families in July, Lonmin CEO Ben Magara and members of the executive committee decided to ensure that these children would have access to the best possible education to match their specific needs and abilities.

Established in December 2012, the fund currently holds R6.5-million – R565 366 of which has been paid to the dependants of those killed in the tragedy for the 2013 school year. The Sixteen Eight Memorial Trust Fund is open to donations from the public.