EXCURSION • in hand with PMC’ s preferential procurement for local business as well as with initiatives which assist the growth of local Small and Micro Enterprises as they achieve their sustainability through acquisition of assets,” says Abby Ledwaba, manager of Employee Relations and Communications.
“ PMC’ s capacitation of the community through bursaries, skills development and employment have built the company’ s reputation as the employer of choice in the district and have earned the company seven years of Top Employer accolades,” notes Zani Kutumela, the custodian of PR and communications for PMC. The bursary programme has been particularly successful in equipping candidates with technical qualifications for absorption into the business, and PMC is a leader in the appointment and development of women in the mining industry.
Values like‘ Integrity, Courage, Care, Innovation, Teamwork and Accountability’ are core to the mine’ s vision of being a leader in the mining industry through performance and its mission to safely and profitably extract and convert minerals and metal from the PMC ore body.“ Our 5 000 employees including contractors – 90 % being locals from the surrounding eight communities – are the heart and the soul that drive the company’ s operational goals. This year, our CEO, Mr Wei has
mandated the production of 4 million tons of 65 % magnetite( fe), with the dispatch of 10 million tons – and our teams haver sprung into action,” enthuses Kutumela.
Future-fit innovation – the‘ Palabora way’ The company’ s divisions are driving innovation hard to make this mandate a reality across several flagship capital investment projects.
PMC’ s Lift II mine extension project is one of these initiatives and has showcased several industry firsts and best practices underpinned by engineering the‘ Palabora way’ to safeguard the company’ s most precious asset – the PMC workforce. Bearing testament to this, the project celebrated one million fatality free hours in January 2024. Schoonbee says,“ This project is a shining example of how collaboration, expertise and a steadfast commitment to safety can lead to extraordinary achievements.” To date on this project, PMC and its partners have ensured that the Khumbul’ ekhaya slogan is a reality for a workforce that stands protected by its leadership, proving that Zero Harm is possible – # HLAYISEKA.
PMC’ s retrofit smelter is also well on its way to commissioning, together with a further five VIP magnetite projects in various
PMC’ s Lift II mine extension project has showcased several industry firsts and best practices underpinned by engineering the‘ Palabora way’ to safeguard the company’ s most precious asset, its employees.
www. africanmining. co. za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • June 2025 • 21