All Aboard Q3 2016 by AEL Mining Services

ALL ABOARD July-December 2016 I Ethics Line: 0800 205 280

Meet the effervescent Hazel Bomba - Movers and Shakers AEL supports Nelson Mandela Day

Taking blasting intelligence to greater heights: AELâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total value proposition, intelliBlastTM is launched

AEL PAYING IT FORWARD

Contents 3

AEL Paying it Forward: AEL supports Nelson Mandela Day

AEL in the Field: Securing of Supply Contract to Beifang in Namibia

AEL Intelligence: Taking blasting intelligence to greater heights: AEL’s total

value proposition, intelliBlastTM is launched

AEL Cutting Edge Innovations: Introducing intellishotTM

AEL Cutting Edge Innovations: Introducing the PCU011

AEL Movers and Shakers: Meet the effervescent Hazel Bomba

AEL Safety: AEL Safety Management System – Safety 360 Launches

AEL Safety: Good Housekeeping

AEL Energy: Craig bowls them over!

AEL Energy: AEL’s athletics club makes great strides

AEL Family: Knowledge is Power

AEL Family: Brainy Blondie

AEL Family: ISAP ladies walk for a purpose

AEL Family: Babies on Board

AEL Family: Celebrating our Heritage

AEL Legal: Dawn Raid

AEL Active: AEL on the ball

AEL Cares: 2016 Breast Cancer Awareness Programme

Cover image: Hazel Bomba in the field

Editor’s Note Welcome to our bumper year-end issue of All Aboard where we share intriguing stories and exemplary achievements of our colleagues across the AEL world. These stories bear testament to the passion and hard work of our employees who strive to overcome challenges in the business arena while remaining engaged with their families and communities. Image sketched by AEL’s Mbuyiseni Thwala

Some of the highlights in this issue include: The launch of our total value proposition branded intelliBlast™ which is designed to help customers pursue cash preservation during these tough economic conditions. We also highlight AEL’s cutting edge innovations i.e. the latest in electronics offerings, intellishot™ and the next generation portable charging unit, PCU011.

AEL supports Nelson Mandela Day In support of the annual Nelson Mandela Day campaign, AEL donated 40 solar lamps to Grade 12 learners of Phomolong Secondary School in Tembisa on the 25th of July 2016 as part of AECI’s Building a Brighter Future initiative. This exciting initiative aims to enable learners with much needed devices to enhance their learning experience for improved outcomes. The donations were well received

by the school’s Acting Principal, Ms Mashego, and a group of young learners who are optimistic about their academic prospects.

schools in communities that AEL operates in, namely, Blouberg; Mokopane; Debeng; eMalahleni; Voorspoed; and Mogwase.

AEL representatives were led by Group Human Capital Business Partner, Thabo Nkoane who is a champion for education and corporate citizenship.

AEL is committed to social investment programmes that promote Maths and Science literature for the communities in which we operate.

An additional 240 units of solar lamps were donated to

AEL in the Field gives you insight into the securing of Supply Contract to Beifang in Namibia. The AEL Paying it Forward section displays our passion for nurturing and supporting young learners with the Mandela Day sponsorship of solar powered lamps. In AEL Movers and Shakers, we cross paths with one of AEL’s ultimate go-getters, Hazel Bomba, Product Manager who epitomises some of our BIGGER values of being bold, engaged and responsible! AEL Safety shares learnings of how we have continued our efforts in maintaining the highest safety standards in the workplace. We impart valuable lessons of how our employees can prime themselves to keep their safety switches on at all times. The AEL Energy section highlights the thrilling extra-mural activities and inspirational triumphs when at play. Finally, in our AEL Family section you get too meet our latest little additions to the clan and view the colourful heritage day attire. To continue putting smiles on the faces of our readership, we look to you to you submit your contributions by emailing eubulus.pillay@ aelms.com. Keep flipping our pages for more AEL delights. Happy Holidays and here’s to a sparkling 2017!

Eubulus Contact Details: Eubulus Pillay - All Aboard Editor I Tel: +27 11 606 0313 I Fax: +27 11 605 0000 I eubulus.pillay@aelms.com I www. aelminingservices.com

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July-December 2016

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July-December 2016

AEL IN THE FIELD

Securing of Supply Contract to Beifang in Namibia

The Husab Mine (Husab meaning hole in the ground),

improved offering to secure additional volumes in the

owned by Swakop Uranium (Pty) Ltd is a uranium

highly competitive environment.

operation situated in the arid Namib Desert in Namibia.

June 2010: First blast that took place on the Husab site

Swakop Uranium (Pty) Ltd is 90% owned by China

This required flexibility and a different approach led to

General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGNPC), China’s

AEL adopting a new business model in December 2015.

biggest producer of nuclear energy and 10% owned by

An improved proposal was submitted that resulted in a

the Namibian Government through their mining arm,

two year supply agreement being concluded in March

Epangelo Mining.

2016. This was significant for the AEL Namibia entity as Husab mine consumes in excess of 45% of the total bulk

The mine was officially opened on 18 April 2013 and

explosives delivered in Namibia.

is set to become the second largest uranium mine in the world after the McArthur River mine in Canada

A wealth of learning has been gained from this

and one of the largest open-pit mines in Africa. Moving

experience. Firstly, learning to think out-of-the-box and

150 million tons of rock per year, the mine will elevate

apply new ideas in times of adversity. Secondly, learning

Namibia to becoming the third largest producer of

how to stay motivated and focused. Lastly, the biggest

uranium in the world.

learning of all was identifying how to interact and build

Husab Mine is located in a conservation area. Significant emphasis is placed on preserving indigenous fauna and flora. Welwitschia mirabilis (pictured above), an ancient plant, grows in areas around the mine. Carbon dating shows that medium-sized plants can be as old as 1000 years

mutual respect and trust with other cultures. These Beifang Mining Technology Services (Pty) Ltd, a company

learnings are aligned to our values of INNOVATIVE,

ultimately held by the Chinese State through Norinco

RESPONSIBLE and ENGAGED, respectively.

was awarded a twenty two year contract to supply a full blasting service at Husab Mine.

Further innovative ideas have been submitted to the client in the anticipation of increasing and lengthening

Due to various factors including restrictions on the

the current agreement.

importation of explosives through the Walvisbay harbour, Beifang was forced to source products locally.

Congratulations to Morne Stiglingh, Divisional Director

This led to them approaching AEL in Namibia to assist.

- Southern Africa, West Cluster, Ritzema Nel, Managing

AEL’s deliveries to Beifang in 2014 and 2015 were ad

Director - AEL Namibia and the team.

Official Opening of the mine Mine location

hoc and this prompted AEL in Namibia to develop an

Scenes from Husab Mine

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July-December 2016

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July-December 2016

AEL INTELLIGENCE

Taking blasting intelligence to greater heights: AEL’s total value proposition, intelliBlast™ is launched

holistic approach to our customers across the world. What is new about intelliBlast™, however, is our refined ability to demonstrate our flexible and customisable capabilities in a simplistic manner,” Du Chenne says. The intelliBlast™ approach centres on AEL’s value of ‘simplexity’. Simplexity is a process which combines the complexity of endless hours of analysis, design, testing, technological innovation and expertise to create a product and offering that allows the most simple, yet effective, usability for the end user.

AEL partners with Northam Rhinos

“We want our customers to have peace of mind knowing that the products and services we provide have been through rigorous testing and development, and are the result of great expertise and innovation,” says Du

0 16

Chenne.

AS S2

LAST

T ING MAS

He concludes, “We have always looked for ways in which to innovate so that we not only supply products and services, and intelliBlast™ demonstrates how we add real value to our customers’ operations and this enables us to establish long-lasting partnerships that are value adding and beneficial to all stakeholders.” Scenes from AEL’s Blasting Masterclass

What is intelliBlast™? •

intelliBlast™ is AEL’s holistic and flexible

As Africa’s leading mining explosives company, AEL has

innovative, flexible and able to meet the challenges

company’s flexibility, allows AEL to provide a range of

launched our total value proposition - intelliBlast™ - that

they are dealing with”. Du Chenne says the correct

offerings to the industry, from customer applied energy

approach to help customers on their

will, amongst other things, help customers pursue cash

use of energy at the source significantly eliminates

which is an offering that is solely dependent on our

unique journey to optimal blast outcomes.

preservation during these tough economic conditions.

inefficiencies in the value chain, reducing operating

product bundle; through to a complete optimal energy

costs and improving productivity and output – exactly

solution where we fully partner with our customers

what customers are looking for.

allowing them to fully outsource all blasting related

In front of 200 mining industry stakeholders, intelliBlast™ was launched at AEL’s third Blasting Masterclass at The Forum, in Johannesburg on 29 September 2016.

•

offerings and can contract with us on specific outcomes “intelliBlast™ demonstrates to the industry that AEL’s

and performance measures.

This approach can help AEL’s customers

Desired outcomes are represented in the silver blocks, namely: Safely

improve their balance sheet and pursue

optimised blast outcomes and efficiencies; Optimised mining conditions; Skills

cash preservation, which is imperative in

enhancement; and Environmental sustainability.

the current economic climate. •

holistic approach can help improve our customer’s

Optimal blast outcomes reduce

Wayne Du Chenne, Executive Director: Southern Africa

balance sheet and pursue cash preservation. Given

“Whether it’s providing customers with the products

inefficiencies and operating costs and

at AEL says intelliBlast™ is the model that highlights the

the current market conditions across the world, this is

and services they need to perform their own blast or

improve productivity and output.

way the company has always operated – by partnering

crucial to any business,” Du Chenne says.

full integration into their daily operations with planning,

with customers on their unique journey to optimal blast outcomes.

a solution for every requirement,” Du Chenne says.

strategically

Du Chenne emphasises that intelliBlast™ is not new to

positioned

deploy

customers

“The industry across the world is facing tough times

operations seamlessly, through innovative and agile

with challenging economic conditions,” says Du Chenne,

products and services.

“Now, more than ever, our customers need us.” “Customers come to AEL because we have always been

•

execution, measurement and tracking, intelliBlast™ has He says intelliBlast™ also highlights that AEL is

This ability to rapidly deploy, combined with the

AEL’s operations.

intelliBlast™ is the culmination of over 100 years of market leadership in Africa and a key market differentiator

•

AEL’s flexibility allows the company to provide a range of offerings to its clients,

“With over 100 years of being the market leader in Africa,

from customer applied energy through to

we have reached this point where we can bring our

complete optimal energy solutions.

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July-December 2016

Pictorial representation of intelliBlast™

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July-December 2016

The red blocks, meanwhile, are what enable these outcomes. These are the ways in which AEL reaches the desired outcomes: through Differentiated products; Adaptable delivery systems and services; Blast consult; and through Predictive software. “Each of the outcomes and enablers is supported by ‘heroes’, the products and services that combine to make our successes a possibility,” says Du Chenne.

AEL CUTTING EDGE INNOVATIONS

AEL is proud to announce the launch of two trail-blazing innovations

INTRODUCING… intellishot

INTRODUCING THE PCU011...

THE INTELLIGENT CHOICE

THE NEXT GENERATION PORTABLE CHARGING UNIT

The IntelliShot system developed in conjunction with our ®

technology partner DetNetTM, is the latest addition to AEL’s

time, every time.

AEL provides portable charging units (PCU’s) for charging in narrow reef mining environments. The pumps have been specifically designed to deliver the UG100 and UG200 non-sticky range of AEL’s bulk explosives products in conjunction with a sensitiser in stoping.

Unique Features

The lightweight PCU011 is a robust and reliable portable charging unit designed to

•

Fast and simple “tag by plan” deployment methodology

specifically work in narrow working spaces where heavy equipment is difficult to

•

An automatic check to ensure that the correct number of

manage. The pump is available for low compressed air pressure environments as

detonators are connected per channel

found in typical narrow reef stopes.

Electronic Initiating System product suite. This advanced blasting system is easy-to-use, ensuring the best blast, on

• • • •

Monitoring of detonator energy is performed up to the point of blasting

Used for charging bulk emulsion in underground narrow reef environments, the

Detection and testing of detonators automatically takes place

focus area for the PCU011 is narrow reef stoping. However, the pump can be utilised

when connected to the intellishotTM Commander

in development, including boxholes and travelling ways. The pump is used in

Detonator programming speed is 7 times faster than existing

conjunction with AEL’s pre-packed bulk emulsion and bottled sensitiser. This allows

systems

the customer to enjoy the advantages of an emulsion explosive even though one is

User friendly interface enabled via a wireless interface between

limited to the current infrastructure of a conventional mine.

the intellishotTM Commander and the multi-purpose CE4 Tagger •

Benefits

GPS location stored in the detonator and CE4 Tagger simplifies on-bench fault finding

•

Lightweight and portable

These unique features ensure that complex blasts are easily

•

Robust and reliable

deployed and fired successfully on time.

•

Allows the application of emulsion explosives in a narrow reef environment

•

Suitable for application of emulsion explosives in short, small diameter holes of any inclination (Eliminating the necessity to use packaged explosives)

•

No longer a requirement for a primer in short blast-holes

The complete intellishotTM System

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July-December 2016

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The PCU011 in operation July-December 2016

AEL MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Meet the effervescent Hazel Bomba All Aboard chatted to newly appointed Product Manager (shock tube), Hazel Bomba, former Lions woman rugby team member who is currently a mentor to young girls.

opportunity to travel across the continent to the

What are we doing to stay relevant and on the cutting

fullest. AEL is currently the platform that has been given

various AEL plants for plant commissioning, product

edge?

to me in which I can make that happen.

helped me to garner an intimate appreciation of the

HB: AEL boasts one of the largest explosives research

Particularly in this new role, the vision is to learn, grow,

explosive products that AEL produces from a research,

departments in the world! We’ve managed to leverage

excel and continue to find opportunities in the company

manufacturing and end-user perspective. My tenure as

this institution and have brought many ‘firsts’ into the

wherein I can add value and concurrently remain

a technologist came to an end in July this year when I

industry.

challenged.

qualification and technical support. All this experience

was promoted into Product Management. Some of the recent innovations include the successful implementation of Spray Dry technology, Vertical drop AA: What are your key responsibilities?

All Aboard (AA): Give us a brief background of your career path?

AA: Tell us something interesting about yourself?

employment in the underground market as well as the TIBES for hot hole blasting.

HB: Product management is an interesting job as it

HB: I used to be an aspiring rugby player. I played for the Lions woman rugby team for a brief span of my life – till

encompasses so many aspects of the business all

These technologically relevant designs in our products

Hazel Bomba (HB): The original plan was to either make

revolving around the product. The job keeps me on

and product offering are only possible as we keep

medicine or save the planet, I chose the latter. My first

my toes as I'm continuously learning more about the

close tabs with the market as well as keeping abreast

job saw me applying my chemistry trade at Gondwana

systems and people instrumental in the product value

of the latest academic developments in the explosives

Environmental Solutions as an Environmental scientist.

chain.

technology realm.

This stint proved to be short lived, when 6 months later

a knee injury and utter lack of talent caught up with me.

AA: What are your interests away from the office? HB: I spend a lot of time mentoring young girls as well

AEL head hunted me for a position in the Products to

What I see as my key responsibility and what actually

Market group (which was later integrated into the

excites me most about Product Management is the

research and development portfolio).

inherent opportunity I have to tangibly influence the

as starting and supporting various outreach initiatives. AA: Do you see yourself as a leader or a team player?

a crisis pregnancy initiative in communities in close

direction in which the product will grow. I’ve been really

HB: Those are not mutually exclusive attributes. Being

The transition from aspiring tree-hugger to chemical

impressed with the various AEL teams from sourcing,

a good leader implies knowing how to be part of a

explosive developer was an interesting one. For these

planning, production, research etc. and I’m looking

team. I'm always a good team player and easily take the

past 5 years I’ve been in the employment of AEL as

forward to figuring out the best way to work with all the

leadership role when necessary.

a Research Technologist in the explosive emulsion

teams such that the shock tube product is better next

division. In this capacity, I was involved in product

year than it was this year.

design/ development, product qualification and product

My friends and I are currently working on establishing proximity to where we live.

AA: What is your vision/ goal for the future within AEL?

implementation. The scope of the portfolio was such that I got the

July-December 2016

AA: What is your modus operandi?

HB: The greater vision of my life is to continue to live

HB: Learn. Do. Plot. Pray. Repeat.

with purpose and to exert my God given talents to their

July-December 2016

AEL SAFETY

AEL Knowledge Sharing

AEL Safety Management System – Safety 360 Launches AEL has embarked on the journey of acquiring OHSAS (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series) 18001 certification by December 2017 across the Modderfontein site. OHSAS 18001 is a British Standard published by BSI based in the UK. It has been developed in response to customer demand for a recognizable occupational health and safety management system standard against which companies could assess and certify their management systems. AEL is increasingly concerned with achieving and demonstrating sound occupational health and safety performance by controlling risks, consistent with the OHS Policy and objectives. To provide assurance of performance targets, legal and policy requirements being met, the need of an effective structured management system has arisen. AEL is thus implementing an online Safety Management System in association with AFFSAF called Safety 360 across its Modderfontein site. The first leg of the journey is aimed at getting at least one section in Modderfontein certified by December 2016. Below is a diagram depicting the roll out programme for the Modderfontein site.

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Is a good housekeeping programme needed in your area? A good housekeeping programme plans and manages the orderly storage and movement of materials from point of entry to exit. It includes a material flow plan to ensure minimal handling. The plan also ensures that work areas are not used as storage areas by having workers move materials to and from work areas as needed. Part of the plan could include investing in extra bins and more frequent disposal. The costs of this investment could be offset by the elimination of repeated handling of the same material and more effective use of the workers’ time. Often, ineffective or insufficient storage planning results in materials being handled and stored in hazardous ways. Knowing the PLANT / SITE layout and the movement of materials throughout the workplace can help plan work procedures.

Craig bowls them over! below left) and his bowling partner Harold Hiller from Edenvale, members of the EKB Bowlers representing Ekurhuleni Bowls, won the Men’s Pairs section of the Gauteng Open Bowls tournament. Join us in congratulating Craig on his sterling performance and may he continue to fulfil his bowling dreams.

AEL’s athletics club has been flying the AEL flag high through participation in a host of events. Club members recently took part in the Rainbow Marathon in Kempton Park on the 2 October 2016.

Housekeeping order is “maintained” not “achieved.” Cleaning and organisation must be done regularly, not just at the end of the shift. Integrating housekeeping into jobs can help ensure this is done. A good housekeeping programme identifies and assigns responsibilities for the following: •

•

Clean up during the shift - day-to-day clean-up - waste disposal removal of unused materials - inspection to ensure clean-up is complete. Do not forget out-of-the-way places such as shelves, basements, sheds, magazines, workshops, silos, burning grounds and waste oil / emulsion storage areas that would otherwise be over looked. The orderly arrangement of operations, tools, equipment and supplies is an important part of a good housekeeping programme.

July-December 2016

Be sure to be part of this exciting event and visit the AEL gazebo on the day. Gather your friends and family, and join us in wishing our colleagues happy miles pounding the tar! If you cannot make it to the stadium on the day, do look out for AEL colours on SABC’s live broadcast of the race.

On Saturday, 10 September 2016 The SA Cross Country Championships were held in George. A total of 3 200 athletes from all over SA participated in various age groups and distances. AEL’s Athletics Club members, John Grobbelaar and Wessel van Wyk (inset), were selected for the teams representing Athletics Gauteng North in the age groups ‘55 to 59’ and ‘60 to 64’ respectively.

What are some benefits of good housekeeping practices? • Reduced handling to ease the flow of materials. • Fewer tripping and slipping accidents in clutter-free and spill-free work areas. • Decreased fire hazards. • Lower worker exposures to hazardous substances (e.g. dust, vapours). • Better control of tools and materials, including inventory and supplies. • More efficient equipment clean-up and maintenance. • Better hygienic conditions leading to improved health. • More effective use of space. • Reduced property damage by improving preventive maintenance. • Less janitorial work. • Improved morale. • Improved productivity (tools and materials will be easy to find).

AEL’s Athletics Club makes great strides

AEL’s Chief Technologist, Craig Rimmington (pictured

Worker training is an essential part of any good housekeeping programme. Workers need to know how to work safely with the products they use. They also need to know how to protect other workers such as by posting signs (e.g., “Wet - Slippery Floor”) and reporting any unusual conditions.

The Safety 360 management System is an online system that will aid in bringing safety through the structure of closing the loop. All documentation will be available on the system, regardless of where it originated from throughout Modderfontein for all to view, making access to information easier. It also removes a lot of paperwork and filing practices as a lot of the activities is done and created online. Below is the roll out programme for the safety 360 online system.

AEL ENERGY

Wessel received a bronze medal for being a member and obtaining third place in the 60 to 64 age group Gauteng North team competition. Bronze medals were awarded to the first four members of this team. The Athletics Club is now in the midst of preparing to participate in the much anticipated Old Mutual Soweto Marathon on the 6 November at the FNB Stadium, Soweto. AEL runners are set to take part in the 10km; 21km; and 42km races.

July-December 2016

AEL Family

Brainy Beauty

ISAP ladies walk for a purpose

Veronica Heyneke’s 8 year old daughter, Melissa Labuschagne made a clean sweep at the Grade 2 Edleen Primary awards function. The enthusiastic little grade 2 learner won several accolades for both academic and sporting achievements making her mum very proud. We wish Melissa all the best in her future school career.

ISAP’s Trudy Modiba, Zandile Nkosi, Montlha Pete, Phumla Mabaso and Thandeka Mkhize donned their sporting kits and joined the Avon/Justine Ithemba Walkathon - Walk for a Purpose in support of all those affected by cancer. Creating awareness of this disease that impacts the lives of so many individuals was top of mind for these compassionate ladies.

Silver seal for the following: Mini Netball Mini Hockey Book award for best performance in a subject: Afrikaans Extra Certificate for RMS Chess (chess championships at Bakenkop Primary)

AEL welcomes the lovely little ladies to our clan!

Announcing the birth of Abigail Arosie's gorgeous baby girl, Ayabulela Joy Arosie born on 8 August and weighing 3.1kg.

Achievements received: Honours colours for Academics Colours for Revue Outstanding achievements (Gold Seal) for: Afrikaans English Maths Life orientation Chess Revue group Eisteddfod Speech choir Public speaking Most industrious reader

Babies on Board

Celebrating our Heritage The vibrant employees from SF2 proudly displayed their rich cultural heritage by getting dressed in elaborate traditional attire on Heritage Day.

Congratulations to Robert Erasmus on the birth of his beautiful daughter Rochan Erasmus born on 14 May and weighing 3.14kg.

Knowledge is Power Lilian Bandera, ETDP Engineering and SD Assessor recently graduated with a BTech HRM at Central University of Technology. Lilian is passionate about studying which forms part of her personal journey to achieve her career goals. She is currently busy with her Mtech proposal. We wish her great success in her future endeavours.

July-December 2016

Introducing Siyabonga, handsome son of Anna Mokoena born on 10 September and weighing 4,2kg.

July-December 2016

AEL Active

AEL LEGAL

AEL on the ball! On 22 October 2016, AEL FC competed in a heated match against Eskom FC at Megawatts Park, Sunninghill. The game was an exciting one and resulted in a score of 2 all. The spirit of AEL soccer players remained enthusiastic as they expressed their satisfaction with the results and intend to win upcoming soccer matches.

DAWN RAID - THE ARRIVAL OF THE INSPECTOR

Background of AEL FC

When the Inspector arrives at your place of work and you are the first person to come into contact with the Inspector:

AEL’s soccer team has been in existence for over 10 years. The employees who initiated the club contributed great efforts to realise the dream of their fellow colleagues. It is that dream that has carried the team’s existence to this day. The club expresses its appreciation of the support that was provided by team members at the old Dets Campus, as well as members from ISAP.

DO • Be polite and co-operative • Check that the inspection is lawful – make sure the affidavit reflects all the correct information about the address, the date, the Inspector, the reason and the scope of the Dawn Raid • Ask the Inspector for identification. Check the identification against the affidavit (written authority) and also check that the Inspector is from the department (e.g. Department of Environmental Affairs) as stated on the affidavit • Get in touch with the Compliance Department and inform them of the arrival of the Inspector • Ensure that the Inspector is accommodated in a holding room until the Compliance Team arrives and takes charge of the process

The soccer team plays all practice matches at Modderfontein Sport Ground on Fridays at 16h00. In 2015, the team saw external teams also vising the sports grounds for a match, which is where the idea of going into a league format originated. “We are happy to announce that AEL’s soccer team is represented by all Modderfontein sites and is officially affiliated to Gauteng Industrial Soccer (GIS) league for 2017. For that we would like to thank the AEL FC committee and all the players for their belief and support they have given us. Management also played a pivotal role in making sure our goals are met as assistance was obtained from Vincent Maoeng of the Wellness department.” said Geoffrey Motia, Production Planner at Tube Drawing Plant.

DO NOT • Panic • Be obstructive or rude • Leave the Inspector(s) alone at any time • Prevent access to the Inspector if the inspection is lawful • Discuss the Dawn Raid with any person outside the company, especially the media and do not post about the raid on social media. Such actions could lead to a disciplinary hearing and ultimately dismissal

The team looks forward to participating in all tournaments run by the GIS league such as the Top 8 Challenge and President Cup, and also intends to take part in community work related to soccer development for youngsters. “We pledge to all AEL employees to support the team off and on the playing field to enable the team to achieve its goals going forward.” added Geoffrey.

July-December 2016

AEL CARES

2016 AEL Breast Cancer Awareness Program For the second year in succession AEL Mining Services was the major sponsor of the Breast Cancer Awareness Program hosted by the Golden Star Ladies Club and Golden Star Health. Now in its fourth year, the program, coinciding with International Pink Ribbon Day, aims to raise awareness of breast cancer prevention among mine site catchment communities. This year the program targeted to bring their total women screened over the 3 year period to over 10,000……and we are pleased to report that they did it! In just three years the program has reached more than 10,400 women and girls and potentially saved as many as 270 lives.

Volunteer Myra Quarm records risk factor information from a participant

Community women participate in breast cancer screening

• •

•

Screening of women and girls across all Districts of the Golden Star catchment communities; In 2016 an outreach to a massive 30 communities, as well as mine site workforces, through the conduct of screening at 41 locations, including 7 junior and senior secondary schools; Recording of risk factor information for all participants to support diagnosis, treatment and cancer research; Provision of education materials to participants, and education posters to community health facilities; Breast cancer awareness and self-examination talks at the start and during screening sessions to build capacity in the local populace; and Participatory training and capacity building for Ghana Health Services nurses, through the involvement, coaching and mentoring of specialist breast cancer nurses from Breast Care International.

treatment options and chances for survival.

In addition to the financial support of these groups to run the program, generous support is provided by International SOS, Breast Care International, Primus Catering Services, and a host of employees and their families, including members of the Golden Star Board of Directors. What has been the impact?

Breast cancer risk factor data collected during the program is provided to Breast Care International (BCI), a Ghanaian breast cancer specialist NGO, for use in breast cancer treatment and research. BCI provides local community outreach to support the communities after the program by connecting women advised on referral to local networks of survivors, carers and counsellors.

With over 16 screening days in October 2016 the program attracted over 4,000 women who participated in clinical breast cancer screening with trained nurses. Of these, more than 90 women were referred for further diagnoses and management. Each participant was taught how to do breast self-examination, and also received a pamphlet detailing how to perform breast self-examination. The importance of this program to the catchment communities cannot be understated. Breast cancer remains one of the leading malignancies in Ghana, and is the most common form of cancer. Girls as young as 14 are recorded with breast lumps, and in Ghana almost 70% of cases are identified at an advanced stage limiting

Educating and Building Capacity From its humble start in 2013, the aim of the Breast Cancer Awareness Program was to bring free and confidential clinical breast cancer screening to communities that would otherwise not enjoy this service, however the program continues to increase in depth and impact with each year and now has the following elements:

than Cure”.

Juliet Awuku Mensah and other Golden Star National Service personnel assisted with recording details of participants at host communities

George Amankwah-Kumi (Golden Star Group and Community Health Coordinator) and Victoria Boafo (Golden Star Safety Department) assist women to register for the screening

To maximize opportunities for participation, screening sessions were arranged to coincide with non-farming days or market days increasing the opportunity for rural women to attend. Media support from local FM radio stations, and local gongon and megaphone announcements offered continual publicity and radio discussions for a wider reach. Screening dates and venues were repeatedly announced on air, at church forums, and via community noticeboards to promote the sessions. Generous Sponsors and Supporters In addition to the major sponsorship of AEL Mining Services, this important prevention based health initiative has attracted the firm support of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Ghana Health Services and Golden Star through the parties’ private public partnership “Prevention is Better

July-December 2016

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Some of the poignant moments indicating how well the program is received are outlined following: •

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In several communities, the chief and opinion leaders warmly received the team, and thanked them for the initiative. In one community, the chief called his spokesperson in specifically to inform the community over their announcement system. In another community, people came out and waved handkerchiefs to welcome the team. Male community members were frequently spotted in communities walking their female colleagues to the screening centers to take part. Individual participants after screening went away

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only to return with their friends and relations to ensure that they also took part. Those who knew a little more about breast cancer shared their personal experiences with hope to inspire and encourage those women who were skeptical about breast cancer or hesitant about attending. One of the Golden Star young women surprised onlookers by talking about her experience with breast lumps in her 20’s. The local nurses who took part in the training said their confidence in the service has improved through the exercise. Following the capacity building training in 2015 with the Breast Care International nurses, in 2016 the program was run entirely by local community nurses from Ghana Health Services. One young man at a Golden Star mine-site donated half his month’s wage to the program. Other men, now so inspired by the women’s program are talking about men’s cancers and raising awareness. At the secondary schools male and female students participate in education and awareness. The importance of men supporting and encouraging screening is critical to breaking-down taboos and mythologies associated with breast cancer.

What does the program mean to its participants and supporters? This breast cancer screening program has indeed has really helped the communities around and within the catchment areas of Golden Star. It has helped in creating awareness on breast cancer as well as educating them on self-examination and seeking early care. Though some might find it challenging due to monetary issues we are all the same grateful for your thought and care for women and the communities as a whole. Thank you. Bridget Acquah, Bogoso Health Centre, Enrolled Nurse.

I feel strongly about the importance of this program to our communities. This year a young girl, just 15 years of age, was found with a large breast lump. During the program period I received notification from Breast Care International’s Peace and Love Hospital that she had attended for treatment. I am aware through the local Ghana Health Services nurses that others have also reported following referral. George Amankwah-Kumi, Golden Star Group and Community Health Coordinator

This is a rare platform which has been undertaken by Golden Star for empowering women in the catchment communities through awareness creation and early detection. My encounter with the program has broadened my personal experience and knowledge. It has indeed given me a sense of fulfillment in knowing that we are given the opportunity to engage with people who have little to no knowledge on breast cancer to share education and awareness with them. Myra Quarm, former Golden Star employee and breast cancer program volunteer

It makes me feel such happiness when I see the way the team is received in communities. The young women sit captivated by the words of the nurses and the more mature ladies crack jokes to encourage the fun. At one location I attended, the young ladies had many questions about breast cancer and breast feeding. When the questions subsided, an older lady joked “How do I stop the men from biting my nipples?” The group was in gales of laughter. We saw 116 women in that small, isolated community. The older lady shook my hand with energy and expressed her gratitude. Despite the hard work of the month-long program, these are the moments that remind me of the importance of what we are doing. Philipa Varris, Golden Star Vice President – Corporate Responsibility

July-December 2016

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