A participating entity shall qualify for a Certificate of Excellence on the basis of working a calendar year with a lost time injury free rate better than set benchmarks in the following categories:

• Opencast gold and platinum mines;
• Shallow to deep (less than 2 000m) gold and platinum mines;
• Ultra-deep (deeper than 2 000m) gold and platinum mines;
• Coal mines: opencast and underground; and
• Other mines: opencast and underground.

The various benchmark categories are determined annually by the Council. To determine the benchmark rates, the lost time injury benchmark will be used, expressed as lost time injuries per 1-million hours worked. Fatalities will be excluded to remain in line with the international harmonisation process.

Eligibility

A mine, or a portion thereof, which is operational and forms a participating entity as defined by the manager, will be eligible for this award.

Information to be supplied

Every participant shall supply the required statistical information called for on the prescribed form (Report of Labour and Shifts DME 155). The completed form must be sent to the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate to arrive within the month following that to which the information relates.

If the information is not submitted for a period of three consecutive months, the DME has the right to suspend, revert any accumulated shifts to zero, or terminate the participation of the participating entity that has failed to submit such information.

Ten days before the expected date of attainment of the milestone, the statistical department of the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate shall be notified of the expected date of achieving the milestone.

Awards decisions rest with DME

Any decision in connection with the awards scheme is vested in the DME. If a participant chooses to appeal against a decision, the matter will be referred to the MHSC.

Presentation

A participating entity that has become eligible for presentation of a Certificate of Excellence will, by arrangement with the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate, set a suitable date for the presentation of the award. The Certificates of Excellence will be presented annually on a regional basis to any qualifying participating entity within that region.