African Mining September 2021 | Page 9

AFRICAN BUZZ • mining industry . I would like to thank Rosond for giving me such a big opportunity . I know I still have much to learn , which is why I am so excited about this job and being part of women in mining ,” says Bolokang Innocentiah Mere , who lives in Kathu .

Her role as a grade control drill assistant is to ensure that all samples taken are labelled correctly , and to assist with set-up when relocating to the next exploration site .

Drill assistant Lesogo Mavis Kanon , who works at Kuruman , agrees that women like herself are paving the way for increased gender equality in the mining industry .

“ What I enjoy most about my job is acquiring the knowledge to overcome the challenges I face daily . Rosond has taught me that people should not be judged on gender alone , but on skills and competency . I am blessed to be in my current position , as this opportunity has shown me that anything is possible , and that we can indeed bring about a positive change to the industry .”

Reabetswe Prudence Kaekae comments that her position as Drill Assistant has allowed her to not only operate the machinery itself , but also to think out-of-the-box and be more multitasked .

“ It is quite challenging yet interesting at the same time . It is a different working environment that you become used to as time goes by .” Her vision is to learn more about the mining industry so she can become an instructor herself one day , teaching the next generation of women about the latest drill rig technology being developed by Rosond .

Diamond drill assistant Agness Sethunya has a wide range of tasks , from washing core samples to general paperwork . “ I enjoy learning new things each and every single day , but mostly I enjoy the challenges I have to tackle as a woman working with drill rigs and other heavy equipment .” Her future plan is to become a safety officer and ultimately a qualified engineer .

Mercia Monwe is an assistant on the Ros 8II EX drill rig , and says she enjoys learning from her fellow drill crew members , who are highly mindful of safety and efficiency while on the job . “ At first it was a challenge , but at the end of the day I learned that even working in a male-dominated industry , I can achieve anything .”

Being able to work in the mining industry is an incredible achievement , says drill assistant Palesa Cheraldine Buneditte , adding that she now has access to opportunities for personal and career growth that were simply unavailable to her before .

Even Letlhogonolo Moricho , who works as a cleaner at Kolomela , has been inspired by what her fellow female colleagues have achieved . “ I am very excited to be a part of the mining industry , which has put me on a path to learn more and one day maybe even get to work on the drill rigs themselves .”

The Minerals Council South Africa and labour unions , the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union ( AMCU ), the National Union of Mineworkers ( NUM ), Solidarity and UASA have reaffirmed their support for South Africa ’ s national vaccination programme , especially recognising the increasing role that the private sector plays in administering vaccines and have urged all industry employees to choose to get vaccinated as soon as they can do so .

The industry supports the national # IChooseVacciNation campaign , noting that vaccination is voluntary , and that no employee will be coerced to vaccinate , or discriminated against if they do not vaccinate .

The industry ’ s vaccination programme is being undertaken under the National Department of Health ’ s ( NDoH ) Occupational Health Site programme . Currently , 14 primary sites and 18 permanent and temporary outreach sites are operational . To-date , around 34 000 employees and contractors have been vaccinated ( including health care workers vaccinated under the Sisonke programme ). A further 15 primary sites and five permanent and temporary outreach sites have received their requisite permits from the DoH and are expecting to be operational in the next two weeks . A further 27 primary sites have applied for registration .

The industry ’ s vaccination process is fully aligned with the national priorities ( that is , vaccinations currently open to 35-year-olds and over ), with the only difference being the companies ’ ability to bulk upload employee information onto the national Electronic Vaccine Data System ( EVDS ), and to schedule appointments at mine-based sites .

The Minerals Council has confirmed the industry ’ s desire to support the vaccination of employee dependants and community members , either through industry vaccination centres or in-kind support , and discussions with the NDOH on how this can be achieved are continuing .

The Minerals Council continues to collaborate with unions in running communications and educational campaigns to encourage employees to register , and to assist their family and community members to get vaccinated . The continuation of nonmedical interventions – wearing masks , sanitising , social distancing – remains a priority .

Unearth what you need , without digging .

Rosond has supplied 28 next-generation drill rigs to the Kolomela and Sishen mines as part of a R2-billion , five-year tender to ensure Anglo American is up to date with the latest drilling technology as it modernises its geoscience operations . The drill rigs feature increased safety because they are largely automated and include control cabins with air-conditioning and ablution facilities attached .

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