MINING INSPECTION

RMB carries out inspections in all licensed companies and quarries. We have Mine inspectors based at RMB Headquarters and others are deployed at the district level as Mining Engineers, geologists or environmentalists. In general, the inspection aims to verify compliance in terms of mining law and regulations, and environmental and mining safety standards.

Mining companies/cooperatives are coded with color based on their compliance level. For those coded green color, minor actions were recommended towards sustainability, while those flagged yellow are given a grace period of rectification between 3 to 6 months, and those flagged red are suspended (where necessary the entire concession, a particular site, or tunnel) to first work on improvement in ensuring compliance as well as licenses termination notices.

The following sections detail the ranking tool used, elements of compliance considered under each item, compliance and status of improvement, and a detailed scaling of licenses.

Rating

Percentage

Points

Flagging

Recommended action

Excellent

> 90%

>=4.5

Green

Maintain Sustainability

Satisfactory

80% - 90%

>=4, <4.5

Green

Minor actions required  for improvement  and sustainability

Acceptance

60% - 79%

>=3, <4

Green

Major actions required towards sustainability

Fair

50% - 59%

>=2.5, <3

Yellow

Given grace period for rectification

Poor

40% - 49%

>=2, <2.5

Red

Immediate suspension  for un-complying  inspected Sites of the Company

Un-acceptance

00% - 39%

<2

Red

Immediate shutdown of the inspected Company

ELEMENTS OF COMPLIANCE TO BE CONSIDERED UNDER EACH ITEM

a) Health and Safety

  • Trained Health and Safety personnel
  • Employees have correct PPE
  • Mineworkers Insurance Available
  • Emergency procedures available
  • Safety incidents investigated and action taken
  • Mine timber support adequate

  • Adequate lighting in tunnels and site
  • Site access control adequate
  • Warning signs and directions displayed
  • Two safe access to the tunnels
  • Quality and quantity of air controlled

b) Mine waste management and Environmental protection

  • water pollution (spillage, overtopping water, River siltation) control
  • Evidence of water recycling
  • Settling ponds for sediment available and controlled
  • Overburden management and control
  • Selection of site for tailings storage appropriate
  • Surface drainage and erosion protection
  • Developed an appropriate rehabilitation and closure strategy
  • Processing areas and dumping areas established
  • Environmental responsible personnel
  • Tree planting nursery

c) Mining operations

  • Site lay out/ plan available
  • Competent supervisors assigned to work
  • Size of tunnels adequate
  • Risk assessment done before work and recorded
  • Employees trained in emergency procedures
  • Floors clean and free from dirt, oil and grease
  • Safety Standard at site
  • Safety Sign Posts displayed

d) Processing

  • Access designated processing areas
  • Access to storage areas
  • Efficient and no wasteful methods

e)  On site infrastructures

  • Mine Office available and equipped with the required documents and records
  • Adequate sanitation infrastructure with gender respect
  • First Aid Room adequately equipped
  • Stacking & storage of tools & equipment

f)  Community relations

  • Social license to operate
  • meetings/dialogue with community
  • Disputes with community
  • Corporate Social Responsibility