Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
GIANT lithium miner Sabi Star Mine has received two International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) certifications, as the company moves to improve occupational health and safety and environmental management.
The mining company received the ISO 45001 certificate, which certifies its compliance with international standards for occupational health and safety, and ISO 14001 for environmental management.
Standard Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) managing director Mr Cosmus Mukoyi handed over the two certificates to the company at a ceremony held at the mine in Buhera.
Speaking during the handover, Mr Mukoyi thanked Sabi Star for its commitment to protecting its workers and the environment.
“Once we certify you, you can use it anywhere in the world without any problem,” said Mr Mukoyi.
“ISO 45001 is the one on occupational health and safety. We want to thank you, Sabi Star, for showing commitment to protect your employees, whom we believe are the most precious assets.
“The mine manager said the incident rate has come down from 50 when this mine started to below 10 this year. I think that deserves a lot of applause.
“As we produce in this generation, let us be aware that there are more generations that are going to come after us.
“As we make money, be mindful of the fact that you need to be responsible for protecting the environment.”
Mr Mukoyi also urged the mining firm to continue improving occupational health and safety and protecting the environment.
“This certification that we hand over today is not the end of a journey, but is the beginning of new things to come. We must maintain our systems. Let us take the opportunity today to celebrate the milestone,” he said.
Sabi Star Mine manager Engineer Oswald Makonese revealed that the lithium mining firm used to experience more than 50 accidents a year and recorded some deaths in the process.
Eng Makonese said the company had worked over the years to improve occupational health and safety and was expected to record fewer than 10 incidents by the end of this year.
He said the company was aiming to achieve an accident-free working environment in future.
“We had incidents that exceeded more than 50 in a year. I am happy to say that we have improved to an extent that we will have fewer than 10 incidents this year.
“We have come a long way, but we have achieved. We are a big family that respects environmental and health and safety, and we will continue to improve,” he said.
Sabi Star Safety, Health, and Environment Manager Mr Renias Zireva described ISO 45001 as the mining firm’s blueprint for keeping its people and employees safe, while the ISO 14001 certificate dictates how it manages waste, reduces its carbon footprint, conserves energy and ensures that its operational growth does not damage the environment.
“This journey was not a walk in the park,” he said.
“If there is one thing this journey proved, it is that SHE compliance is not the job of the SHE department alone. It belongs to all of us.
“It succeeded because our leadership team provided the resources and backing we needed. It succeeded because our supervisors enforced new rules on the ground.
“And most importantly, it succeeded because of you—the team members who wore the PPE, sorted the waste, reported the near-misses, and embraced a new way of working.
“Achieving certification is a monumental win, but it is not the finish line. In the world of ISO, there is no final destination; there is only continuous improvement.
“These certificates are valid because we promise to get better every single year. We will continue to be audited, and we will continue to challenge ourselves to find safer and greener ways to operate.”
The handover ceremony was also witnessed by traditional leaders drawn from communities around the mine in Buhera.
