Aquarius Platinum is committed to both acting as a responsible employer and corporate citizen and to encouraging sustainability within the communities in which it operates.

Mining and processing at the Kroondal and Marikana mines are outsourced to contractors, while the Mimosa mine is independently overseen by the joint venture partners. Nonetheless, Aquarius Platinum takes very seriously its obligations in respect of safety and health, and the environment. The company determines policy and objectives, and monitors performance in these key areas.

At the company’s South African Kroondal and Marikana mines, an independent consultant is tasked with overseeing community liaison and broader social issues. In Zimbabwe, this is undertaken by Mimosa personnel.

AQP(SA)’s Safety and Health Policy and codes of practice, developed using internationally accepted risk assessment techniques, govern health and safety at an operational level. While the majority of safety and occupational health functions are performed by external contractors, AQP(SA) oversees that these functions are carried out in line with the overriding policy. AQP(SA)’s health and safety policy is set at Executive Committee (Exco) level and is approved by the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME). The policy was developed by contractors’ health and safety committees, as required by the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA). While contractors are held accountable through legal appointments as provided for in the MHSA, the ultimate responsibility for health and safety rests with AQP(SA).

In Zimbabwe, the Mimosa operation is committed to continuous improvement in the management of health, safety and environmental issues. To this end, application of the mine’s health, safety and environment programme is based on hazard identification and effective risk management.

The occupational health programme also incorporates health education and training for all employees, the provision of personal protective equipment, and engineering controls to minimise exposure to occupational health risks.

Primary occupational health hazards are noise, dust, gases and fumes. Mimosa runs a comprehensive occupational health programme that consists of:

• Pre-employment medical examination for all new employees;
• Periodic medical examinations;
• Hearing Conservation Programme for employees exposed to noise;
• Respiratory Protection Programme for employees exposed to dust;
• Special, half-yearly medical examinations for food handlers, drivers and chemical substance handlers; and
• Exit medical examination on termination of employment.

To limit the HIV/AIDS pandemic at Mimosa, an employee wellness programme which aims to increase awareness and prevent transmission is in place. The programme includes HIV/AIDS awareness training for all employees, as well as the distribution of free male and female condoms in the workplace. During FY2004, an external consultant conducted a knowledge, attitudes and practices survey to ascertain current awareness levels and behaviour; the results of this survey will be used to further enhance Mimosa’s HIV/AIDS policy and strategy going forward.

In terms of Kroondal´s Environmental Management Programme (EMP), formal relations with the local community are maintained through regular meetings and consultation.

As part of the development of Everest, some 15 households will need to be relocated. In this regard, discussions and a formal communication process have been embarked upon with the local authorities, the Phetla Communal Property Association (CPA), and the affected households. This process was largely complete at year-end. Draft terms and conditions for the relocation have been developed, and are awaiting ratification by both Aquarius Platinum and the CPA.

At Mimosa, objectives in terms of water and waste management and rehabilitation were largely met. Air quality targets in respect of reducing carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions were also achieved. At year-end the mine was in the process of conducting a dust survey of all, including underground emission points. Notably, during the year under review, Mimosa achieved NOSA four-platinum star status, as well as second position in the Association of Mine Managers#&8217; of Zimbabwe Environmental Competition in the Masvingo mining region. In terms of water management, Mimosa has a permit which allows the mine to draw 2,600,000m³ of water from the Ngezi River. At year-end, the operation was pleased to report that water consumption was below the allocation.