Hatch honoured with top safety award after breaking SA record
Hatch has become internationally recognised as a preferred supplier of engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services to mining operations worldwide, thanks to the company’s proven track record of safety and service delivery excellence.
Hatch regional director for Africa - mining and mineral processing Lister Sinclair points out that the company , together with Kumba, now holds the South African record for mine safety, as it approaches 15-million lost time accident free man hours at Kumba Iron Ore’s Kolomela Mine in the Northern Cape, South Africa.
Kolomela is a newly-developed 9 Mtpa open-pit iron ore mine, located around 80 km south of Kumba’s flagship Sishen operation. Hatch is the EPCM contractor for the plant and stockyard areas, and is scheduled to complete its scope of the project ahead of schedule.
“Hatch Africa and Kumba are heading towards a world-class safety record of 15 million accident free man hours, a feat which has never been achieved in South Africa before. This achievement has been made possible through a committed and transparent working relationship between Hatch, Kumba and the various contractors under their control, and we have previously received recognition for our efforts on other projects, by being awarded the Anglo American’s CEO safety award of the year,” he explains.
Sinclair adds that Hatch has maintained its high standard of project management at the QIT Madagascar Minerals ilmenite project, where the company was contracted to construct a mine, treatment plant and associated infrastructure, including a new port. “Having achieved about 12,7-million lost time injury (LTI) free hours in Madagascar is an outstanding effort in a country where the workforce has minimal exposure to construction projects and related safety measures. As a result, Hatch was awarded the Rio Tinto safety award of the year.”
What’s more, Sinclair also highlights the fact that Hatch’s impressive safety record extends across the Atlantic. “Hatch was appointed the EPCM contractor on Xstrata’s Nickel Rim South project in Ontario, Canada, which involved the sinking of two 1 300-m-deep shafts. Hatch successfully completed the project without recording any fatalities, and just one incident of lost time injury.”
Another aspect that sets Hatch apart from the competition is its employee-focused structure of ownership, whereby all 650 shareholders are employees. “Nobody can become a Hatch shareholder, unless they are employed by the company. This structure of ownership is rare in many companies that are of similar size to Hatch, and we believe that this policy makes for a committed and motivated workforce, which takes ‘ownership’ of its projects,” he continues. “Many of the owners of the South African branch of Hatch are classified as ‘previously disadvantaged’, and Hatch Africa has a BEE Level 3 rating, which is one of the highest in the industry.”
Sinclair points out that the Hatch global network of companies places a high priority on working closely together and sharing information, in order to ensure that clients are provided with the highest standards of service. “Hatch strives to abide by the motto: ‘think globally and act locally’, and will endeavour to make contact with its international affiliates, should a local and unforeseen challenge arise that cannot be dealt with immediately.”
Using an example, Sinclair explains that Hatch Africa is playing a key role in one of the company’s largest Canadian projects – the K3 mine in Saskatchewan, where two shafts, 1 100-m-deep and 6-m-wide, are being sunk. “This is an enormous project, and will involve erecting the tallest headgear in the world, which will accommodate winders to hoist 60 ton skips.”
Due to the fact that the South African office is the main repository of the deep level mining skills within Hatch, experts from that branch have been called in to help with the shaft, the winders and underground development, while the Canadian office is managing the surface infrastructure. “We’re also installing BMR winders in the headgear structure. This has never been done before so this is a ground-breaking project in many ways.”
Looking to the future, Sinclair admits that the unsettled world economic outlook may result in another dip in mining activities in Africa and internationally. He does; however, remain confident about Hatch Africa’s prospects in the short to medium term. “In terms of minerals and mining, Hatch Africa is generally in an expansionary mode, and I am optimistic and confident about the year ahead,” he concludes.
Ends
Notes to the Editor
There are numerous photographs specific to this press release. Please visit http://media.ngage.co.za and click on the Hatch link.
About Hatch
Hatch supplies process and business consulting, information technology, engineering, and project and construction management to the mining, metallurgical, energy and infrastructure industries.
Hatch Contact
Rashree Maharaj
Hatch Marketing and Communications Manager
Phone: 011 239 5300
Email: RMaharaj [at] hatch [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.hatch.co.za
Media Contact
Mary-Anne O’ Donnell
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867-7763
Fax: 086 512 3352
Cell: 072 780 2675
Email: mary-anne [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ngage.co.za
Browse the Ngage Media Zone for more client press releases and photographs at http://media.ngage.co.za