Environmental audit clears Debswana mines
Debswana mines, Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa have attained a green audit following a virtual ISO 14001 and 45001 internal audit. The mines are ranked incredibly well on environmental management as well as occupational health and safety management. OLDM Senior Safety & Health Manager, Badiri Motlaleng said the objective of the audit was to check OLDM’s level of conformance against the ISO 14001: 2015 Environmental Management system standard and ISO 45001: 2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System. “The auditors concluded that the Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Management System were suitable and effective in meeting the requirements of the ISO 14001: 2015 and ISO 45001: 2018. Evidence confirmed that the system was effectively maintained in areas pertaining to the audit scope.” The mines recorded no major findings, but recorded 10 minor findings and 22 opportunities for improvement. Presenting their findings, the auditors applauded all the participants for open interactions, and for being able to articulate requirements of the Management Systems associated with their processes as well as the high level of understanding and commitment to the systems demonstrated by the Leadership. “OLDM leadership demonstrated a high level of understanding of the system and their commitment with respect to the Management system was evident,” they noted. Motlaleng said other positive observations and good practices the auditors highlighted, included the Fatigue Management Programme within the Pit, noting that it was excellent in providing leading indicators regarding wellness and fitness to work. He said they also commended the means by which OLDM have incorporated referencing to the Hierarchy of Control within OHS hazards and Risk Assessment documented information. “This includes provision for promoting effectiveness of controls and their consistent application, as well as the displayed high level understanding of the system requirements and being able to link the standard requirements to their activities. This, it was noted, means a good integration of the EMS into business processes.” Senior Engineering Manager, Lefoko Sethoko, applauded OLDM employees and Business Partners for their efforts in ensuring that OLDM achieved a positive audit outcome. Sethoko encouraged the employees and Business Partners to look at internal audits as an opportunity for retrospection and to measure the operations’ compliance to the systems.
“The recommendations of the auditors will help OLDM in our journey of continuous improvement. Areas that have been noted, both positive and negative, are there for us to learn from,” Sethoko said.