COMMITTED TO ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE
In line with BPM’s dedication to shaping a brighter future in mining, the company leverages a robust and impactful environmental strategy, keeping a close eye on its carbon contributions.
“We report both monthly and quarterly on sustainability data that indicates BPM’s contributions towards environmental stewardship, which is one of the key pillars of ARM’s sustainable strategy,” Joubert points out.
In line with this commitment, the business has embarked on the ambitious mission of modernising its mining activities to ensure long-term sustainability.
At the heart of this vision, BPM is upgrading several core processes, which it hopes will filter out into the rest of the company’s operations.
At the same time, BPM also deploys innovative methods to ensure the mine’s longevity as the industry pivots more towards environmental stewardship.
The company has implemented many sustainable practices that are having a substantial and meaningful impact, minimising BPM’s ecological footprint as well as safeguarding and preserving the environment for future generations.
For instance, the company has begun tracking its water consumption across the entire business, looking at both the quantity and quality of the water it is using, and proactively participating in a number of water-saving initiatives.
BPM also has a comprehensive water and wastewater management system that carefully oversees disposal.
On top of this, the company regularly monitors its emissions through the regulation of dust, electricity usage, as well as diesel and petrol consumption.
Moreover, BPM has installed low-energy lights at its plant and the Middlepunt Hill UG2 shaft section. In addition, it has replaced major energy-consuming air conditioning to low-consumption systems whilst also installing heat pumps at its vertical shaft at Middlepunt Hill.
Regarding the company’s trackless mobile machinery (TMM), it has refurbished the equipment to include Tier 3 engines across all its machines and introduced hydraulic-operated handheld drills, which ultimately use less power.
“We hold the highest standard of tailing storage facilities management, disturbed land rehabilitation, and biodiversity management,” Joubert surmises.
“The goal is to ensure that the right products are delivered to the right place at the right time whilst minimising costs and maximising efficiency”
JJ Joubert, Senior General Manager, Bokoni Platinum Mines
SHAPING A BRIGHTER FUTURE
As community lies at the heart of BPM’s mining activities, robust corporate governance therefore shines as a leading light throughout the company.
Indeed, BPM believes that mining doesn’t just revolve around extracting precious metals but building sustainable partnerships and generating shared value.
In line with ARM’s CSR commitments, the company proactively embraces the needs of its surrounding areas, working with nearby tribal leaders and collaborating with government agencies to ensure that the voices of local communities are always heard.
Regarding state administration, the company works with government agencies to navigate regulatory frameworks and contribute to regional development.
For example, BPM recently facilitated state-of-the-art water purification capabilities for a local community in the form of a water treatment plant. As a continuation of the company’s recent open pit mine operations, the water treatment plant was acquired to provide potable drinking water to the entire company and its surrounding areas.
Set for completion by the end of 2024, the plant will streamline the area’s water provision by negating the need for a number of smaller water plants that require substantial maintenance, whilst also enabling an influx of water for the planned growth of the open pit mine.
BPM will likewise bring the company in line with the latest Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) requirements by going through a stringent dam realignment process in the near future.
“This will save on water and protect our underground water supply for generations to come,” Joubert points out.
The mandatory legislature dictates that all mining dams must be lined to prevent underwater contamination for future generations, increasing the company’s credible standing in the industry.
Therefore, this project will not only benefit BPM’s ability to provide potable water, but by doing so, it will have a major impact on many institutions across the surrounding area.
“For example, we received a request from two of our neighbouring schools – Potlake Secondary School and Motsepe Primary School – to assist with the provision of safe drinking water.
“This required us to assess the situation and ensure that the water was purified and made safe for consumption,” he adds.
Additionally, the company recently completed a landmark community project through the construction of Mogabane Mobile Clinic, a pillar of BPM’s social and labour plan (SLP) initiative.
Correlating with the company’s overarching mission, the clinic has addressed the critical need for healthcare access across all areas of the local community.
The mobile clinic will help bring urgent patient care closer to home in underserved areas and meet the needs of those who may not be able to travel far due to limited transport infrastructure in certain areas.
The Mogabane Mobile Clinic was constructed and opened in close collaboration with the Department of Health, as the company helped fund the ZAR6 million project.
With the aim of restoring dignity by ensuring accessible and appropriate healthcare, the clinic supports caregivers from food security programmes and social development organisations, reflecting BPM’s commitment to the advancement and well-being of the community.
EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE
BPM’s commitments go beyond that of mineral extraction, as the company consistently endeavours to positively impact the lives of its team, as well as their families and local communities.
In recognition of this aim, BPM has implemented strategic measures to ensure that its workforce is effectively upskilled and reskilled to align with the future needs of the PGM sector and African mining landscape.
Firstly, the company regularly conducts a skills audit to assess the ability of its staff and identify gaps to improve efficiencies with various training initiatives.
For instance, BPM offers a plethora of training programmes across the organisation. These include digital literacy, training for the use of specialised equipment such as NRE, and online learning courses such as Artisan 4.0™, ultimately ensuring operator and automation excellence.
Additionally, the company actively encourages and supports the higher education of its staff, as demonstrated by its many educational partnerships in which it collaborates with regional further education and training colleges to facilitate specialist upskilling.
BPM alternatively offers an on-the-job training initiative in which team members are assigned a mentor that offers guidance and continuous feedback on learnerships, internships, and cadetships, which are also offered to those in the local community.
Through online and flexible courses, the company has introduced simulators, virtual reality (VR) for practical learning, and gamification in order to transform learning.
“With a strong emphasis on training, we encourage continuous learning through incentives and recognition programmes, such as our General Manager’s Quarterly Update and awards sessions,” Joubert shares.
In constant pursuit of efficiency, BPM gathers employee feedback, regularly assesses its training effectiveness, and subsequently updates its programmes accordingly.
BPM’s future holds great potential as the company anticipates 2025, marked by investing in the modernisation of operations and preparing its mine for the next generation.
“We are ensuring that our operations are globally competitive and profitable whilst maintaining a robust balance sheet. We align production capacity to logistical and infrastructure constraints while exploring value-enhancing growth opportunities,” Joubert closes.
Therefore, at the core of its mission, BPM is continuously introducing innovative methods and maintaining successful operating standards across its mine sites, whilst also fostering community development and ensuring longevity in an evolving PGM industry.
BOKONI PLATINUM MINES PARTNERS
