Our Sustainability & Social Impact
Occupational Health and Safety
Our highest priority is to protect the safety, health and wellbeing of our workforce and the communities where we operate. Given the inherent risks and hazards present in our working environments, our top objective is to identify these risks and implement controls to prevent or mitigate the potential impacts.
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To uphold this commitment, we establish clear objectives and targets, conducting regular performance reviews at all levels with a strong emphasis on safety culture, capability, and leadership to achieve continuous improvement.
We invest in regular health checks, consultation on safety initiatives and training on our safety standards and protocols for our staff, contractors, and visitors. This ensures that all stakeholders are engaged and actively participate in matters directly affecting their safety. This approach ensures the prevention of injuries and illnesses, fostering a culture that promotes a safe, secure and healthy working environment.
Shawa Community Clinic
The Shawa Vermiculite Community Clinic brings treatment to hundreds of individuals in the surrounding area every year. It is available for use by all local community members and is the primary healthcare facility for all Shawa staff and their families, as well as the thousands of people that live in the surrounding villages.
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Shawa Mine maintains the upkeep of this modern brick facility and provides the staffing for the caregivers and nurses as part of our commitment to providing healthcare to the people in our rural community, who would otherwise be travelling distances of up to 100km to access healthcare.
Since its establishment in 2017, the clinic has been a cornerstone in delivering a wide range of healthcare services. From primary care and maternal health to vaccinations and preventive care, the clinic serves as a one-stop solution for the diverse healthcare needs of the local residents, helping to build a healthier and more resilient community.
Shawa Ambulance Service
Improving healthcare in our local community requires more than building and operating the clinic. Due to the relative remoteness of the Shawa Mine and community we have invested in an onsite ambulance as part of the health and safety initiatives. Recognising the critical role timely medical assistance plays in emergencies, our onsite ambulance is equipped to provide swift and efficient emergency response services.
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We have extended this vital service beyond our mining operations and made the Shawa Ambulance available as a free emergency service to assist local community residents in case of emergency. This ensures that everyone in the vicinity has access to immediate medical attention when it matters most. Beyond responding to emergencies, we also engage in community outreach programs to educate residents on preventive health measures and encourage a culture of safety, preparedness, and well-being.
Children’s Education
In our commitment to nurturing the well-being of our staff and their families, Shawa extends its support to the educational journey of the next generation. Recognising the importance of education in shaping a brighter future, we have implemented dedicated Children’s Education initiatives that cater to the educational needs of our staff members’ children.
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These initiatives include the provision of scholarships for underprivileged yet talented children from the community as well as a specialised bus service exclusively for the convenience of our staff members’ children. This service ensures that every child has safe and reliable transportation to and from school, promoting accessibility to quality education that will empower the youth for a brighter tomorrow.
Community Empowerment Projects
At Shawa, our commitment to community development is exemplified through various initiatives aimed at fostering economic empowerment and environmental sustainability. We are dedicated to uplifting the communities we operate in through a range of impactful projects.
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- Women’s Economic Empowerment: we sponsor of a range of projects (such as poultry, pig farming and peanut butter manufacturing) which create employment opportunities and empower local women, contributing to the economic vitality of the region. Furthermore, our commitment to supporting local businesses is evident in our sourcing practices, where we purchase materials from surrounding villages and hardware requirements from Murambinda’s local shops, fostering economic integration.
- Local Employment and Economic Integration: we are an equal opportunity employer that actively prioritises local employment and promotes diversity and inclusivity. We are proud of the opportunities created for women across all departments at Shawa, including in roles within mining and plant operations traditionally associated with men. This approach bolsters the diversity of our workforce and fulfils our aim to cultivate a sense of shared prosperity and economic growth through greater integration of all members of our community.
- Community relief and environmental partnership: Shawa Mine actively participates in community relief efforts by providing transport services for food relief initiatives, ensuring a reliable support system in times of need. To address the unique needs of the local population, we have implemented initiatives such as establishing watering points for cattle, de-silting riverbeds, repairing water boreholes, and grading roads. These efforts underscore our holistic approach to social responsibility, our commitment to the well-being of the community and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Environmental Sustainability
At Shawa, we recognize the critical importance of environmental sustainability and are committed to minimizing our ecological footprint. As part of our dedication to responsible business practices, we have implemented initiatives to harness clean energy and reduce our CO2 emissions by 66%.
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Our significant focus on the adoption of solar power has transformed our factory operations and reduced our reliance on conventional power grids and dependence on diesel-powered generators. Our investment in renewable energy sources has actively reduced greenhouse gas emissions, achieving a reduction of over 55,000kg of net CO2 a year.
As part of our commitment to comprehensive environmental stewardship, we continuously assess and implement strategies to minimize waste, conserve resources, and protect the natural ecosystems in the areas where we operate. This includes responsible water usage, waste management, and initiatives such as maintaining ‘green buffer zones’ to enhance biodiversity. Our journey toward a greener future is an ongoing endeavour, and we remain dedicated to continuously improving our environmental performance.
Governance & United Nations Global Compact Participation
Shawa Mine supports public accountability and transparency. It is part of our value system and our principles-based approach to doing business. This means operating in ways that, at a minimum, meet fundamental responsibilities in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
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We are a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact and are committed to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact that take into account our fundamental responsibilities of business in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. By incorporating the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact into our strategiy, policies and procedures, and establishing a culture of integrity, we are not only upholding their basic responsibilities to people and planet, but also setting the stage for our long-term success.