Operational safety & health

In the light of its commitment to the environment, and health, safety and community welfare, Petra has adopted HSEC policies that encompass local legislation and international best practice.

Safety

The safety and health of employees is a priority for Petra and the Company adheres to the most stringent practices for health and safety. In addition to appropriate risk management processes, Petra has various strategies and systems in place to ensure that working places are safe and that employees are equipped to work safely. A great emphasis is based on training in this area and Petra’s management strives continually to raise safety awareness at all levels. Petra encourages the active participation of employees and their representatives in safety and health issues.

Health

HIV/AIDS remains a significant area of concern to companies, employees and communities in both South Africa and Tanzania. In the main, Petra’s HIV/AIDS programme is a preventative one, with a strong focus on creating awareness, and there are several peer education training and safety awareness programmes in place across our operations. At the Cullinan mine we have a comprehensive HIV/AIDS programme in place, with voluntary counselling, testing and anti-retroviral therapy available to employees. This programme provides an ideal model which we will eventually be able to replicate across our other South African operations.

At the Williamson mine in Tanzania, we inherited an HIV/AIDS management programme which was initiated in February 2006 to serve Mwadui and the immediately surrounding villages. Antiretroviral treatment started in August 2006 and we have a dedicated Care and Treatment Clinic in place.