Twiga Mineral Corporations, which operates the Bulyanhulu and North Mara Gold Mines, has established itself as one of Africa’s safest mining operations by achieving an impressive Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) of 0.00. This remarkable milestone equates to over 12 million hours worked without a lost-time injury, a record that is celebrated as exemplary by global safety standards in the mining sector.
The LTIFR is a critical metric that measures the number of lost-time injuries per million hours worked within a single financial year. A lost-time injury is defined as any incident that results in an employee losing one day or more of work, including injuries that lead to fatalities or permanent disabilities. To calculate the LTIFR, the number of lost-time injuries is multiplied by one million and divided by the total hours worked over a 12-month period.
In addition to the impressive LTIFR, the mine also saw a significant decrease in the Total Recordable Incident Frequency Rate (TRIFR), dropping from 1.45 in 2023 to 0.93 in 2024. During this period, the number of recordable incidents fell from 27 to 19. The TRIFR measures the number of recordable injuries that occur per million hours worked, considering both lost-time injuries and significant restricted work injuries.
These statistics caught the attention of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Minerals in Tanzania, which commended Twiga Mineral Corporations for establishing robust and modern infrastructure that guarantees high levels of safety for its employees in the mines.
During a recent visit to the Bulyanhulu Gold Mine to assess the mine’s operational progress and provide informed advice to the government, the committee members had the opportunity to explore the underground sections of the mine, reaching depths of up to 1.5 kilometers.
“As representatives of the people, we are very impressed with the high standards and the way Twiga has created a safe environment for its workers. We went down to a depth of 1.1 kilometers, and the air quality was excellent. There are workshops for vehicle maintenance, and we commend the company for prioritizing worker safety as a significant aspect of their operations,” stated Kirumbe Ng’enda, the vice-chairman of the committee.
Victor Lule, the General Manager of Bulyanhulu Gold Mine, informed the committee members that for Twiga Minerals, safety is not a destination that can be reached and declared complete; rather, it is an ongoing journey that requires a concerted effort every day. “When we complete an injury-free workday today, the journey to an injury-free workday starts again tomorrow. We refer to this as the ‘Journey to Zero,'” Lule explained.
The Journey to Zero is a comprehensive five-phase roadmap developed in 2022 and reviewed in 2023 after identifying a concerning decline in safety performance related to fatal incidents. The objective of the Journey to Zero initiative is to sharpen the focus on worker safety, enhance the safety culture, and consistently fulfill the mine’s safety vision.
“It includes various steps and changes necessary to help deliver our vision of ensuring that everyone goes home safe and healthy each day. While the Journey to Zero, like all our safety initiatives, is a collective responsibility, we have appointed a specialist Group Head of Safety who reports to our Sustainability Executive to oversee and drive performance,” Lule added.
A lost-time injury is any injury resulting in a fatality, permanent disability, or time lost from work, even if it is just for one day or shift.
Barrick Gold Corporation’s vision is to build the world’s most valued gold and copper company, which involves not only possessing the best assets but also being managed and operated by the best people who emphasize operational excellence and exhibit courageous leadership. Operational excellence means that the workforce comprises technical experts who know how to perform their roles safely.
“We strongly encourage our personnel to be courageous. Courageous leadership is key: the best individuals do not take shortcuts and have the courage to take responsibility for doing the right thing. They also step up and speak out when they observe unsafe behavior or practices,” Lule remarked.
Barrick’s commitment to safety is enshrined in a range of standards, policy guidelines, operating procedures, and systems that define accountability, controls, and risk management requirements. Having the right documentation and guidelines is vital.
“However, we recognize that safety is something that is lived through behavior and implemented on the ground, not merely documented on paper or hidden behind office doors. That is why we prioritize developing a safety culture and a safety-first mindset. All our personnel, including contractors, undergo safety and risk awareness training from their first day on site, and this training continues throughout their tenure, including specialized training tailored to their job roles and associated risks,” said Barrick’s President and CEO Mark Bristow during a media briefing at Bulyanhulu last month.
He noted that the company achieved this milestone because its safety vision is built on the philosophy of taking care of oneself, one’s colleagues, contractors, and surrounding communities.
“A prime example of how these principles integrate is our ‘Stop Unsafe Work’ program. We aim to instill in everyone the understanding that they not only have the right to stop or refuse unsafe work, but also the responsibility to do so. To foster a culture of safe behavior, our leadership teams spend time in the field each week engaging with workers on safety, correcting unsafe practices, and identifying nearby risks and hazards,” Bristow stated.
Through these comprehensive efforts, Twiga Mineral Corporations is setting a standard for safety in the mining industry, demonstrating that a proactive approach to safety culture can lead to remarkable achievements in worker well-being and operational excellence.
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