Employment & diversity

The Group’s South African operations are committed to achieving the goals of the South African Employment Equity Act and is pleased to report the following:

• Black Wattle Colliery has exceeded the 10 percent women in management and core mining target.
• Black Wattle Colliery has achieved over 15 percent women in core mining.
• 94 percent of the women at Black Wattle Colliery are HDSA females.

In terms of staff training some highlights for 2023 were:

• One employee was trained in ABET (Adult Basic Educational Training) on various levels;
• An additional eight disabled HDSA women continued their training on ABET levels one to four.
• Four HDSA persons were enrolled for apprenticeships in 2023;  these are categorised as follows:
  • One HDSA female employee.
  • Two HDSA females and one HDSA male from the local community were enrolled for their apprenticeships.
• Two HDSA persons continued their internships in 2023; these are categorised as follows:
  • One HDSA female from the local community continued her studies in Safety Management.
  • One HDSA female from the local community continued her studies as a Safety Officer (COMSOQ1).
• Further to the above, we confirm that one HDSA Female completed her bursary studies in 2023, while two HDSA females continued their bursary studies in 2023.
• One employee was trained in ABET (Adult Basic Educational Training) on various levels.

Employment terms and conditions for our employees based at our UK office and at our South African mining operations are regulated by and are operated in compliance with all relevant prevailing national and local legislation. Employment terms and conditions provided to mining staff meet or exceed the national average. The Group’s mining operations and coal washing plant facility are labour intensive and unionised. During the year no labour disputes, strikes or wage negotiations disrupted production or had a significant impact on earnings. The Group’s relations to date with labour representatives and labour related unions continue to remain strong.

Anti-slavery and human trafficking

The Group is committed to the prevention of the use of forced labour and has a zero tolerance policy for human trafficking and slavery. The Group’s policies and initiatives in this area can be found within the Group’s Anti-slavery and human trafficking statement found on this website. Click here