Mining houses AngloGold Ashanti and Lonmin Platinum were awarded the internationally-recognised John T. Ryan Safety Trophy, sponsored by MSA Africa, at MineSAFE 2018 on Friday 31 August at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The annual conference is organised jointly by the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), the Association of Mine Managers of South Africa (AMMSA), the South African Colliery Managers Association (SACMA), and the Mine Metallurgical Managers Association (MMMA), as a platform to promote ‘zero harm’ in the mining industry.
The John T. Ryan Trophy is named after the original founder of MSA. It was first introduced to the Canadian mining sector in 1941, before expanding globally. The trophy is a sculpture of a mineworker returning home, with his arms around the shoulders of his son and daughter, as a symbolic representation of the importance of mine safety.
AngloGold Ashanti was awarded the John T. Ryan Trophy (Surface Operations) for its Vaal River and West Wits Chemical Laboratories, where there have been no fatalities since operations commenced in 1948. Lonmin Platinum was awarded the John T. Ryan Trophy (Underground Operations) for its K3 Shaft UG2 Section, which has recorded no fatalities since 18 September 2003.
In addition to the main winners, John T. Ryan Safety Trophy plaques were awarded for Best Safety Performance in Class in a range of categories. The list is too long to be published here but full details are available on the MineSAFE website (minesafe.co.za).
The Health and Wellness Award went to Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen mine while the recipient of the Environmental Award, given to a company that has implemented a project that has had a significant positive impact on the environment, was Assmang’s Black Rock Mine Operations. Winner of the Mine Rescue Services Award was AngloGold Ashanti’s TauTona mine.
The Most Improved Mining Company was selected by the Head of Safety at the Chamber of Mines. This year’s award went to Lonmin and was accepted by CEO Ben Magara on behalf of the team.
