OBJECTIVE/MEMBERS OF THE DRAFTING COMMITTEE
This Specific Procedure was drafted and revised in consultation with the Health and Safety committee as well as other employees of BML as specified in section 9(4) of the MHSA. The Health and Safety committee will also be involved in the implementation of this Specific Procedure.
FOREWORD
The aim of this Transport of Cyanide SP is to provide a system to manage cyanide in order to reduce and control the impact of risks associated with the use of cyanide at Barberton Mines (BML).
- The review of this SP is to ensure that it remains relevant to current knowledge and practice.
- This SP is aligned with the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC) and the SOUTH AFRICAN GUIDELINE ON CYANIDE MANAGEMENT FOR GOLD MINING was used as an informatory in preparation for this COP.
- This SP as per the DMR Guideline has been designed around best practice principles and includes the latest operational expertise and application of technology for the management of cyanide.
- This Specific Procedure was drafted after consultation with the employees in terms of the MHSA, and the appointment of a committee responsible for the drafting of the Specific Procedure.
LEGAL STATUS TO THIS SP
- In accordance with section 9(2) of the Mine Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996) as amended (MHSA) BML must prepare and implement a Code of Practice (COP) on any matter affecting the health and safety of employees and any other persons who may be directly affected by activities at the mines if the Chief Inspector of Mines requires it. This SP complies with the COP on Cyanide with the relevant Guideline issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines (Section 9 (31).
- This SP may be used in an accident investigation/inquiry to ascertain compliance and also establish whether the SP is effective and fit for purpose.
- This SP supersedes all previous relevant SP’S and;
- All managerial instructions, recommended procedures and standards on the relevant topics and must comply with COP 27 Cyanide Management
OBJECTIVE OF THIS SP TOWARDS THIS COP
The main objective is to enable BML to compile this SPP, which if properly implemented and complied with, would improve cyanide management, thereby minimizing risks to employees and communities from the transport of cyanide at BML and reducing community concerns about its use.
This SP provides guidance towards a general nature on the required format and content and to ensure the safe transportation of cyanide are of sufficient and that the staff enable them to understand the safe transportation of cyanide at BML.
DEFINITIONS
Cyanide by definition means a variety of chemical species and physical forms of cyanide including numerous solid cyanide salts and complexes and their solution or aqueous forms
SCOPE
The guideline of this SP needs to focus exclusively on the management and transport of cyanide within the premises at BML as well as the responsibilities that goes with it.
BML is responsible in terms of sections 5(1) and 5(2) (b) of the MHSA to provide employees with a safe working environment and to ensure that persons who are not employees are not exposed to any hazard to health and safety resulting from associated activities with CN at BML.
ASPECTS TO BE ADDRESSED IN THIS SP
PROCUREMENT
BML will only purchase cyanide from an ICMI accredited supplier e.g. SASOL of which BML has a signed agreement with. If SASOL cannot supply any cyanide products BML will purchase cyanide products from any other accredited ICMI Company that have signed the Cyanide Code and had their Plant certified as compliant with the Cyanides Code’s Principles and Production Practices.
Before cyanide can be ordered, the stock levels must be considered. No offloading will be allowed if the full truckload cannot be accommodated in one offloading session.