Investors Urged to Adopt Sustainable Mining Technologies to Ensure Employee and Community Safety

Strategic Insights -

Investors in the mining industry have been called upon to incorporate sustainable mining technologies to mitigate pollution risks and prevent harm to employees and communities. This is particularly pertinent in Hwange, a coal mining town where air pollution has become a pressing concern. As a result, residents and environmentalists fear potential health complications. Chief Wange, the guest of honor at the 53rd Kamandama Mine disaster commemorations, emphasized the need for companies to adopt clean technologies and champion a more sustainable path through cleaner coal technologies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Chief Wange, the guest of honor, emphasized the need for companies to adopt clean technologies to mitigate pollution risks and prevent harm to employees and communities.
  • Hwange Colliery Company Limited Holdings (HCCL) has made significant investments in safety since the Kamandama disaster, including the re-certification of three international standards: ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, and ISO 9001:2015.
  • The company has enhanced worker transportation through the acquisition of new buses and created a CSR Fund to uplift the communities in which they operate.
  • HCCL has drilled boreholes and is working to resuscitate the Zambezi Water Pipeline project to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation for communities.
  • The company has made progress in cushioning its employees materially and financially, with a focus on safeguarding their primary asset, the people.
  • The Zambezi Water Pipeline project has been identified as a crucial initiative to benefit communities, with off-take points to be determined in collaboration with the community.

Statistics:

  • 427 workers lost their lives in the 1972 Kamandama Mine disaster, the worst in Africa.
  • HCCL has undergone successful re-certification of three international standards since the last Kamandama edition.
  • The company employs sustainable mining technologies to minimize pollution risks and prevent harm to employees and communities.
  • HCCL has created a CSR Fund to uplift the communities in which they operate, including drilling boreholes and resuscitating the Zambezi Water Pipeline project.

Sources:

  • Chief Wange's speech during the 53rd Kamandama Mine disaster commemorations
  • Hwange Colliery Company Limited Holdings chief executive officer, Mr William Gambiza's welcome remarks