KEM receives a Golden Award in Mining Safety

Rio Tinto's Kelian receives a Golden Award in mining safety

Kelian Equatorial Mining (KEM) together with seven other mining companies received a Golden Award in Mining Safety from the Director General Geology & Mineral Resources, Monday in Jakarta.

"The award is presented to acknowledge and encourage general mining companies to improve their safety management. We are happy despite the difficult situation in Indonesia, these mining companies managed to continue to improve their safety," said Dr Wimpy S. Tjetjep, Director General Geology & Mineral Resources.

The award is presented for 2000 safety performance which includes safety improvement effort and safety statistics. Sixty companies were selected and forty were evaluated. The winners are grouped into three categories for gold, silver and bronze awards respectively.

The award was given following a thorough appraisal process conducted by Department of Energy & Mineral Resources in October, which evaluation of KEM?s safety statistics and safety effort rating and a site inspection to audit KEM?s safety management system and implementation.

?In 2000 KEM achieved a Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) of 0.44 without any fatality and we received a four star safety rating from National Occupational Safety Association of Australia,? said Charlie Lenegan, KEM?s President Director. ?We see the award presented by the Department of Energy & Mineral Resources not only as a recognition of our safety performance but also as an encouragement for us to perform better next year,? he said.

KEM, owned 90% by Rio Tinto, since 1992 operates a gold mine in Kelian, West Kutai, East Kalimantan with a total workforce of 1050 permanent employees of which 70% are from local community and 600 contractors. KEM will be winding down its mining activities over the period 2001-2003 and will close its operations in 2004. (*)