Social responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility

Petra has plans in place for long-life, sustainable operations at each of our producing mines, and the most important socio-economic contribution we can make is the provision of secure employment to our workforce, which now encompasses some 4,000 people in South Africa and Tanzania. The company is cognisant that poverty alleviation and local economic development are important priorities in Africa and we are also aware that, as mining operations have finite lives, our contribution to the local, host communities needs to deliver sustainable initiatives.

We have a range of projects in place at all of our mining operations which strive to positively impact upon the lives of our employees and their families. These projects are selectively chosen to provide assistance where it is most needed and are operated in a way to stimulate local development, rather than act purely as charitable donations. In the 2009 financial year, Petra provided support and assistance to a diverse range of initiatives/institutions such as: SMME and Skills development, local sports centres, local jewellery school, orphan care project, food parcels for local NGO programmes, centre for people with disabilities, local primary school, local crèche and youth centres. Support does not always have to be of a financial nature; sometimes people devoting their time and spirit can produce even greater returns.

Training

A key objective for the Company is the aim to nurture and develop our skills-base internally. The Petra culture offers an environment of progression and we provide various training programmes to help our employees advance their careers. Given the wide range of activities carried out by the Group internally, ranging from mining, construction and engineering to sorting and marketing, there are numerous opportunities for employees to gain diverse practical experience.

In the year under review, Petra commenced a Leadership Development Programme in South Africa in order to foster and encourage the new management team leaders of tomorrow within our own workforce. The implementation of this programme brought many new experiences and challenges, but it was a success thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of the team. The candidates completed courses across a range of important subjects, from time and stress management and computer training to effective communication and personal leadership skills. Petra now looks forward to the next intake of leadership candidates and is working on expanding certain areas of the programme, such as the provision of individual tutoring in order to help customise the development component.

In addition, Petra is actively engaged with the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) in South Africa, the mining industry’s recognised Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA). Training and development initiatives provide our employees with the skills to improve not only their efficiency and safety in their working environment but also their ability to progress within the Company. Petra provides support to local Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) facilities, which in turn provide a service to our employees and the local communities.