Ubunye Mining Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Unitrans, has scooped the prestigious Rio Tinto Safety Award for Best Contract Partner at Richards Bay Minerals (RBM).
The coveted award marks the commitment of Ubunye Mining Services and Unitrans to consistently exemplify unparalleled standards of safety, operational efficiency, and responsible practices. Unitrans emerged as an outstanding contract partner to RBM for setting highest operational benchmarks.
Kobus Burger, Operations Executive for the Mining Division at Unitrans, said the award was a testament to the dedication of the team to prioritise safety above all else.
“Our commitment to fostering a culture of accountability and our collaborative efforts with RBM have been pivotal in achieving this recognition. This accolade will be a powerful tool as we expand our business and uphold the highest safety standards,” said Burger.
At the end of 2022, Unitrans received the Best Contract Partner Award following a meticulous audit of its safety performance based on RBM's Maturity Safety Model. This award underscored Unitrans' safety track record, particularly in the demanding operational landscape of Richards Bay Minerals, where a workforce of over 5 000, including employees and contractors, operates. It also seamlessly propelled Unitrans into contention for the Rio Tinto global awards.
"We are proud to see one of our contractors achieve this recognition," said Werner Duvenhage, Managing Director of Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium Africa Operations.
"This accomplishment validates our unwavering commitment to fostering a safety-first culture and underscores the collaborative efforts with Unitrans. As their success story becomes a beacon of safety excellence, it resonates deeply within our organisation as we continue to find better and safer ways to operate. Unitrans' achievement reinforces our belief that strong partnerships and a shared commitment to safety can yield transformative outcomes, setting new benchmarks for the industry."
John Kettlewell, Unitrans Chief Operations Officer: Mining, the Leadership in the Field (LIF), said the initiative, introduced by RBM, had provided a framework for Unitrans to collaborate with RBM's management, identify areas of improvement, and work together to drive safety and operational excellence.
Kettlewell said the symbiotic partnership between the two organisations had been pivotal in achieving the milestone.
"This award proves our unwavering dedication to safety standards. It validates that our actions speak louder than words. We proudly uphold our commitment, and this accolade is a testament to our conviction – not merely talking the talk, but undeniably walking the walk," said Kettlewell.
Rio Tinto engages more than 18 000 contractors globally.
