Lesson 1 – Responsibility For Security

Evander Gold Mining General Induction Part 5 – Security Induction Lesson 1 – Responsibility For Security

SAFETY AND SECURITY

The general, operations and security managers are responsible for the overall safety and security of the mine.
All management structures employees, including third-party service providers, are responsible to ensure all personnel and the company’s assets are protected from any security risks and criminality.
The mine has contracted an independent third-party security service provider (SSG Security) to provide security at its mining

Responsibility for Security:

The Plant Production Superintendent of the plant assumes responsibility for the security of all assets on the metallurgical plant under his control.
In this task the Metallurgical Security Code guides him for Pan African Resources, Evander Operations which is an official company document and which reflects the company policy pertaining to security matters.
It is the duty of all employees and the appointed security practitioners to assist the Plant Production Superintendent in this task. Currently SSG Security has been contracted as security practitioners.
It must be stressed that each employee has a responsibility towards the mine for the security of employees, the prime product and all other assets.

Security measures all employees must apply

All the access points, entrances, windows and doors of all operations must be securely locked after hours.
Intruder alarms must be activated where applicable.
Equipment and other valuables must be locked away or parked at secured zones/laydown areas.
Suspicious persons or activities must be reported to security immediately.
All mining equipment, tools, etc. leaving the operations must be accompanied by a signed waybill document and should be presented to security personnel when exiting or entering operations.
Nobody is allowed to tamper with a crime scene after a crime has been reported/identified.
Any form of malicious property damage will lead to both disciplinary and criminal action being taken.
Any possible security risks, such as valuable commodities that can be stolen, must be reported to management/security.

The impact of Crime and Gold theft on the State, Elikhulu Tailings Retreatment Employees.

CRIME AND MISCONDUCT

Crime is an action or omission which constitutes any offence and is punishable by law, e.g., theft, fraud and corruption.
Misconduct, is unacceptable or improper behaviour, especially by an employee or professional person, concerning all applicable policies of the company.

The State

Pan African Resources, Evander Division pay taxes to the government. The state applies tax funds for the benefit of the country on National, Provincial and regional levels such as maintaining law and order, medical services, old age pensions etc. Crime means less income and less service.

The Company

The Company generates income to pays taxes, employ people, pay dividends to shareholders, expand and create more jobs for the citizen of the country. Crime results in loss of revenue and therefore less money being available to do all of the above.

Employees

The activities of Pan African Resources, Evander Division ensure work for its employees that enable you to support your family and to plan your future. Criminal activities result in loss of revenue that has a detrimental effect on employment opportunities.

Impacts of crime on the company, employees and communities

Millions of Rands are lost annually through crimes committed at the company’s operations, especially from theft and corruption activities.
This has put a lot of economic and financial strain on the company to try and protect its assets and operations. In turn, this has a very negative impact on the profitability of the company and the economic future it has.
The company employs thousands of people, who not only financial support thousands of families, but who depend on the company to be successful and not struggle financially.

THEFT AND CORRUPTION

Theft, in terms of common law, is the unlawful intentional removal of the movable property of another owner with the intent to deprive the owner of his/her ownership permanently. Theft in terms of the mine’s disciplinary code and procedures is any unauthorised removal or possession of company property or another person’s property.
Corruption, Section 1 of the Corruption Act (94 of 1992) defines corruption as an act where a person corruptly gives, offers or agrees to give any benefit of whatever nature which is not legally due. Corruption, in terms of the mine’s disciplinary code and procedure, is the giving or receiving or attempting to give or receive any bribe, or inducing or attempting to induce any person to either give or accept a bribe.

Facts about gold theft and other criminal activities

In many instances money used to buy gold illegally has been generated though illegal means such as drug smuggling, robberies, thefts and other crimes.
By participating in gold theft and criminal activities you are assisting crime syndicates. You are being used and abused by criminals. You will be caught, lose your job and they will find another employee to enrich themselves. Your family will suffer whilst you are in jail.
You are participating in destroying employment opportunities for you and your fellow employees.
Syndicate leaders prefer to buy smelted gold. Dishonest employees therefore have the task to treat concentrates with mercury that is a poisonous substance.

Health and safety aspects related to illegal gold smuggling

It is a frequent occurrence that mercury is being found in metallurgical plants.
Mercury is not used on the plants in the day-to-day activities and is a PROHIBITED and POISONOUS substance.
Person/s who brings mercury into the plant potentially exposes themselves and others to mercury poisoning. Persons who work with mercury at their residences run the risk of poisoning their family members.

Consequence of becoming involved in criminal activities

The sanction of theft and corruption in terms of disciplinary code and procedures is a direct dismissal.
The punishment for criminal activities in terms of South African legislation can range from fines to direct imprisonment.
Please note that the mine’s security and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have arrested numerous employees for theft, fraud and corruption over the last few years. The company then supports the police and prosecutors to ensure that criminal charges are laid and the court cases are concluded.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Mercury
Drugs
Alcohol
Cigarettes (underground)
Lighters (underground)
Cell phones (underground)
Firearms
Dangerous weapons such as knives.

In the interest of safety and health, employees must be aware of the poisonous effects of mercury:

Mercury can poison people through inhaling mercury vapour, which develops from the evaporation of mercury open to air.
People can be poisoned through the mercury entering their skin when touching it.
Ingesting mercury – for instance if they handled mercury prior to eating.

The poisonous effects of mercury can be severe!

Having entered the human body, Mercury stays for several months in the liver, kidneys, brain and blood. The more frequently a person comes in contact with Mercury, the more it accumulates in his/her body.
Mercury poisoning results in damage to the intestines, can cause heart problems, kidney failure, brain damage, and eventually cause insanity and death.
The children of woman exposed to Mercury during pregnancy can be, deformed, slow to develop and have a lack of intelligence.

Guidelines pertaining to mercury

Unauthorised possession of mercury in any form whatsoever is prohibited in or at our plants. Any person in unauthorised possession of Mercury will be liable for severe disciplinary action and sanction, which could include dismissal from the company.
Report the finding of mercury in the plant immediately to the Plant Production Superintendent.
If you have seen a person in possession of mercury does not hesitate to report him/her. Remember that such a person does not have any regard for you or his fellow employee’s safety.
He is likely to be in the process of stealing from you, the company and country at the expense of your safety.

The consequences of becoming involved in gold theft

Gold syndicates could intimidate, threaten and injure you in order to force you to become involved with them in the theft of gold from the plants. They can also befriend you for the wrong reasons and gradually convince you to become involved.
They normally make promises of riches and could also provide you with money at a time that you really need it.
If you become involved in a gold theft syndicate it would be difficult for you to break ties with them as they then have you in their power.
Intruders into the plant could be dangerous as they could be armed. In many instances intruders have collaborators in the plant.
You will be caught and you will lose your work.
Criminals will not look after your family if you lose your job.

What part can you play to prevent crime

Motivate your fellow employees not to get involved in theft of gold or any other irregularity.
Do not make mine property available to be removed in an unauthorised manner.
Safeguard the mine’s property by storing it in lockable facilities and do not leave mine property unattended.
Report any suspicious incidents to your Plant Production Superintendent or Security Member. You can also report anonymously to the following number 0800112132 ( Crime Line)

Basic security rules and procedures

Aim of basic security rules

These rules are provided for your protection.
These rules are necessary to curb gold theft and other crime and are based on best practice methods developed over many years.
Failure to comply with best practice methods could potentially result in losses and if not complied with will result in disciplinary action and or criminal action.

GENERAL

Searching can be conducted on all employees and visitors entering/exiting the company’s premises. Anyone who refuses to be searched will be denied entrance and detained before being left to exit the premises. Females will only be searched by females.
Search will be conducted by hand, metal detectors or X-Ray scanners, or all three.
You may not handle gold or gold products in any form or remove them from the location without authorisation from the location where it is kept or outside your scope of responsibilities.
If you see a suspicious parcel or container, do not go near it or touch it. Report gold products found immediately to Security Officer or a Plant Production Superintendent.
Always ensure that you have no gold-bearing material or mine property in your possession before entering the search area.
Ensure that you have no unauthorised gold-bearing material in your locker, vehicle, office, etc. Take note that searching may be conducted from time to time and if any gold-bearing material or mercury is found it may result in criminal prosecution or/and disciplinary measures being taken.
You may not take cellular phones into any of the plants unless prior permission has been obtained from the Plant Production Superintendent or Security Manager.
All employees and contractors will be issued access control cards. Keep your access card in a safe place and do not allow anyone to use your access control card. No employee may use the card of another employee for access purposes under any circumstances. You may not enter the plant when you are not on duty unless you have been paraded.
No company representatives will be allowed inside the plants unless otherwise permitted by the General Metallurgical Foreman, Engineering Foremen, Plant Production Superintendent or Security Manager. All such representatives will be interacted with outside the Plant unless it is required otherwise.
No vehicles may enter the metallurgical plant without the consent or permission of the Plant Production Superintendent, Engineer or security Manager. All vehicles entering/exiting the metallurgical plant are subjected to search including the driver and passengers.
No cold drink cans, food, juice bottles, etc. may be taken out of the plant. Containers for example ointment, shampoo, etc. will not be allowed to be taken out of the plant.
Only see-through bags and food containers may be taken into the plants.
The presence of security must be arranged before any Mill is opened for any reason. The presence of security must be arranged before any drain valves secured with chains and padlocks are opened. The presence of security must be arranged before any pump that could contain gold-bearing material is opened.
No person in a state of intoxication or who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be allowed access to any of the operations.
All new employees may be subjected to polygraph testing before engagement or at intervals as required by the mine management.
No one may hand over, push or throw any items of whatever nature over or through fences or perimeter barriers. Conversations or other forms of communication with persons over or through perimeter barriers are prohibited.
The wearing of balaclavas, to partially cover one’s face is prohibited.
No article or equipment may be placed in the plant airlock unless the responsible Engineering Foreman or General Metallurgical Foreman has inspected it. Such articles or equipment must be free of gold-bearing material. A properly authorised waybill must accompany mine equipment removed from that location.
No security employee is allowed to take items from any employee or visitor through the airlock or fences.
No person may engage in any act aimed at damaging company equipment.
No employee will be allowed to take in a large quantity of food into the shaft area, and arrangements with security must be made when food needs to be taken underground for an employee requested to work overtime.
Disciplinary and criminal action will be taken against any employee who directly or indirectly assists illegal miners (also known as Zama-Zamas).
No employee is allowed to get assistance from security officers in conducting their duties.

REPORTING OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

It is expected that all employees and service providers report any criminal activities identified at all the company’s operations.
Any information provided that will lead to a successful prosecution will be remunerated.
Anonymous tip-offs can be provided via the company’s anonymous whistle-blower hotline:
Cell phone (including WhatsApp): +27 72 470 0743
Email: whistle@paf.co.za

1.You may not make any attempt to steal gold or gold rich products or assist another person in doing so.

2.You may not handle gold or gold products in any form or remove it from location without authorisation from the location where it is kept or outside the scope of your responsibilities. If you see a suspicious parcel or container, do not go near it or touch it. Report gold products found immediately to your Security member or Plant Production Superintendent.

3.You may not involve yourself in any process to concentrate gold concentrates for instance by using a water hose and washing concentrates into corners of mill pedestals.

4.You may not bring mercury into the plant and you must report the presence of mercury in the plant.

5.You must report all irregularities, theft, dishonesty, information or incidents that could result in a crime taking place to your Security member or Plant Production Superintendent. Failing to report could result in you being considered as an accomplice.

6.Ensure that you have no gold bearing material or mine property in your possession before entering the search cubical.

7.Ensure that you have no gold bearing material in your locker inside the plant. Remember that these may be searched from time to time and if any gold bearing material or mercury is found in your locker it may result in criminal prosecution, disciplinary matters and a dismissal.

8.You will be subjected to personal searches when entering or leaving the plant no matter how late you are or how annoying this may seem.

9.Searches will be conducted by hand or with metal detectors or both.

10.Physical searches will take place in an orderly and private manner. Females will only be searched by females and vice versa. Security staff is also subjected to searches as are any other employee, visitor and contractor.

11.Bags, containers or any other item under your control will also be searched.

12.You may not take cellular phones into any of the plants unless prior permission has been obtained from the Plant Production Superintendent.

13.You may not take any private portable radios into the plant.

14.All metallurgical employees will be issued with access control cards. Keep this access card in a safe place and do not allow others to misuse your access control card.

15.No employee may use the card of another for access purposes under any circumstances. You may not enter the plant when you are not on duty unless you have been paraded.

16.No company representatives will be allowed inside the plants unless otherwise permitted by the General Metallurgical Foreman, Engineering Foremen, Plant Production Superintendent or Engineer. All such representatives will be interviewed outside the Plant.

17.No vehicles may enter the metallurgical plant without the consent or permission of the Plant Production Superintendent or Engineer. All vehicles entering the metallurgical plant are subjected to search including the driver and passengers.

18.No cold drink cans, food or fluids may be taken out of the plant.

19.Only see through bag and food containers may be taken into the plants.

20.The presence of security must be arranged before any mill is opened for any reason whatsoever.

21.The presence of security must be arranged before any drain valves secured with chains and padlocks are opened for any reason whatsoever.

22.The presence of security is to be arranged before any pump that could contain high-grade gold bearing material is opened.

23.No person in a state of intoxication or who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs may enter any of the Metallurgical Plants.

24.No intoxication liquor, drugs or dagga may be taken into the plant.

25.No firearms, knives or any other dangerous weapons may be taken into plants.

26.The screening of all metallurgical employees may take place at intervals as dictated by the Plant Production Superintendent.

27.All new employees may be subjected to polygraph testing before engagement and at intervals as required by the Plant Production Superintendent

28.Nobody may hand over, push of throw any items of whatever nature over or though fences or perimeter barriers. No employee or person may conduct conversations or other form of communication with persons over or though perimeter barriers.

29.No employee or person will handle gold bearing material outside the scope of their responsibilities. No gold bearing material may be taken into change houses or toilets.

30.All employees will utilise change houses in the manner described in the access control procedure where such has been provided.

31.All employees working in ultra high-risk areas such as mill relining, electro winning plants will be required to wear pocketless overalls.

32.The wearing of balaclavas, mutton cloth etc., to partially cover one’s face is prohibited in the Gold plant

33.No condoms may be brought into metallurgical plants.

34.People with heart pacemakers must report their condition to the Plant Production Superintendent, as it is dangerous for persons with pacemakers to be searched by metal detectors.

35.In cases of stretcher incidents will employees be escorted and searched at a suitable time by Security.

36.Containers or Receptacles (for example ointment, shampoo, etc.) will not be allowed to be taken out of the plant.

37.Contractors entering the plant are subject to all the plant rules and regulations and therefore the contents of this document are also applicable to the contractors.

38.No article or equipment may be placed in the plant airlock unless the responsible Engineering Foreman or General Metallurgical Foreman has inspected it. Such articles or equipment must be free of gold bearing material. A properly authorised waybill must accompany mine equipment removed from the plant.

39.No security employee is allowed to take items from any employee through the airlock or fences.

40.Be aware that CCTV surveillance is being conducted at all metallurgical plants.

41.No person may engage in any act aimed at damaging company equipment.

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