How Teesside businesses can help miners in Africa
TECH
Appeal – Cleveland Process Designs MD Ross Coulman wants firms to donate PPE .
GOLDEN JUBILEE APPEAL
How Teesside businesses can help miners in Africa
WORDS : PHILIP TALLENTIRE
Cleveland Process Designs , trading as IAMTech , is a Teesside company with international clients and a global conscience .
What ’ s more , it ’ s a firm that prides itself on ensuring its values form the bedrock of its success , guiding its decision-making and always ensuring it maintains high ethical standards .
And that ’ s no doubt a major reason why it ’ s celebrating its 50th anniversary this year .
Managing director Ross Coulman has been at the heart of IAMTech ’ s success story over the last 16 years and , as we ’ ll discover , is passionate about helping people who are less fortunate than himself .
IAMTech ( Industrial Asset Management Technology ) – based at Fusion Hive in Stockton – sells its software products for plant maintenance and the safe control of work , to the oil , gas , chemical , offshore , power and mining industries .
“ Our products are in use in 27 countries currently ,” says Ross , before outlining IAMTech ’ s current projects and future plans .
“ We are currently engaged in the implementation and support of our software products to customers in Thailand , India , Saudi Arabia , Turkey and Peru .
“ In 2021 we were awarded a global framework agreement to be the maintenance software provider to all of Royal Dutch Shell ’ s assets .
“ Our immediate plan for the future is to continue to grow our client base .”
Ross , who is married to Gemma , and father to Noah and Honey , is proud of his own Teesside roots and the company ’ s local links , although he ’ s aware that the heavy industry the region was once famous for has had an environmental impact .
He travels far and wide in his role as IAMTech MD and has taken a close interest in the impact of pollution on those living in the vicinity of industry .
One concern , in particular , that ’ s close to his heart is cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC ) and the resulting serious health implications for workers and their families .
As the demand for smartphones , laptops and electric vehicles continues to rise , the need for cobalt – a key component in rechargeable batteries – has surged , putting immense pressure on the already primitive mining sector of the DRC . With an estimated 60 per cent of the world ’ s cobalt supply originating from that country , Ross feels it is essential to raise awareness of the exploitative practices involving children and the harmful consequences of cobalt mining on their health and wellbeing .
His son , Noah , was born with a cleft lip and palate , but received excellent medical care through the NHS and lives a completely normal life . But children with similar conditions in the DRC aren ’ t so fortunate .
“ In the DRC , it is estimated that more than 40,000 children are employed in mining ,” says Ross .
“ Most of these children work long hours in hazardous conditions , often with no protective gear , no food , let alone a meagre income .
“ One of the most devastating consequences of cobalt mining on children ’ s health is the increased risk of birth defects .
“ The children of miners exposed to high levels of cobalt dust are developing deformities , including cleft lips and palates , as a direct result of their exposure to hazardous pollution exposed during mining .
“ The provision of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) is essential for reducing the risk of exposure to toxic cobalt dust and preventing long-term health complications for miners and their families .
“ If I can stop one child from being born with a birth defect I am going to do so . It ’ s a small price to pay in exchange for everything my family and I have gained from the technology the mining enables us to benefit from .”
To that end , Ross is appealing to Tees businesses to help ease the suffering of both adults and children working in the cobalt mining industry by donating spare PPE .
“ Masks and respirators have expiry dates ,” he explains .
“ And we ( the UK ) actually ship them off to be disposed of overseas . The way I look at it , an out-of-date mask is still better than no mask .
“ In addition to masks , the miners of the DRC would benefit from gloves , safety shoes , eye protection , ear protection , radios , batteries and torches – they literally work in the dark !”
Businesses able to donate unwanted PPE should contact ross @ iamtech . com
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