VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 1 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 Building Forever
THE VOORSPOED MINE IS LOCATED IN THE CENTRE OF SOUTH AFRICA, NEAR KROONSTAD IN THE FREE STATE The mine contributed to the socio-economic development of the local communities before operations ceased.
VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 3 OUR VALUES PUT SAFETY FIRST We consider all risks to people and the environment before proceeding with any activity. We address risks before beginning any activity, even if this means stopping a task. Zero harm is always our goal. BE PASSIONATE We will be exhilarated by the product we sell, the challenges we face and the opportunities we create. PULL TOGETHER Being united in purpose and action, we will turn the diversity of our people, skills and experience into an unparalleled source of strength. BUILD TRUST We will always listen first, then act with openness, honesty and integrity so that our relationships flourish. SHOW WE CARE The people whose lives we touch, their communities, nations and the environment we share, all matter deeply to us. We will always think through the consequences of what we do so that our contribution to the world is real, lasting and makes us proud. SHAPE THE FUTURE We will find new ways. We will set demanding targets and take both tough decisions and considered risks to achieve them. We will insist on executional excellence and reward those who deliver. INDEX FOREWORD 4 A HISTORY OF MORE THAN 100 YEARS 6 OUR COMMITMENT TO BUILDING FOREVER 8 TIME LINE 10 SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY 16 SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION 19 SPOTLIGHT ON HUMANITARIAN RELIEF 22 SPOTLIGHT ON STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 25 SPOTLIGHT ON A UNIQUE WORKFORCE 28 SPOTLIGHT ON EMPOWERING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS 31 VOORSPOED IN NUMBERS 36 FACTS & FIGURES 39
4 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 EVERYWHERE WE OPERATE, WE FORM PART OF PEOPLE’S LIVES De Beers Group has been helping to shape South Africa’s industrial history since 1888, when De Beers Consolidated Mines was first established. Everywhere we operate, we form part of people’s lives in one way or another. We are one company, but we play a role in thousands of stories. Today, De Beers Group and the wider diamond industry continue to create opportunities, employment and economic prosperity in many areas of our country. The Free State is a case in point, where the Voorspoed Mine has made a significant contribution and changed the lives of many individuals and families in our host communities. Diamonds are undoubtedly a precious resource. For me, their true value comes from what they represent: the livelihoods they provide for the people who are involved in their journey; the children and women they support in the communities in which we work, the dreams they have made come true, the opportunities they have created; and so much more. Ultimately, it is the individual and very personal stories that make up the fiber of who we are as a business. These stories keep diamonds from De Beers Group close to my heart and make me proud to be part of this remarkable business. In this book, we bring you a handful of these stories. I hope you find them as inspiring as I do. Today we take great pride in the legacy that Voorspoed Mine has created in our in our host communities. We take away critical lessons of how they worked closely with our partners to ensure that every diamond mined, makes a positive difference in the lives of every person it touched. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Voorspoed story. Thank you for helping us demonstrate that our Values can create value. It’s been a pleasure to work with you all in creating a positive lasting legacy in the Free State and delivering our Purpose to Make Life Brilliant for all. MOSES MADONDO Managing Director, De Beers Group Managed Operations FOREWORD
VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 5 It is with great joy that I introduce the Voorspoed Mine’s Legacy which is dedicated to showcase our mine’s key achievements over the lifespan of the mine. As the Closure Manager, I am immensely proud of the commitment that our team has shown towards creating a positive impact on the lives of the communities in which we operate. It falls upon me to bid farewell and conclude an era that has left a mark on us all. The closure of any mine marks the end of an era, but it also presents an opportunity for reflection and celebration. Throughout its lifespan, Voorspoed Mine not only contributed significantly to the local and regional economy but also endeavored to be a responsible corporate citizen, mindful of its impact on society, the environment and every individual who had the privilege of working at the mine. The resilience and dedication of every individual who ever walked through our gates, has been testament of the mine achieving its objectives as a responsible corporate citizen. One aspect that sets us apart is our unwavering focus on Building Forever. From day one, we recognised that mining operations must go hand in hand with meaningful stakeholder engagement and environmental stewardship. Our Social and Labour Plans and Corporate Social Investment projects have been instrumental in fostering longterm partnerships with our local communities within the Fezile Dabi district, empowering them economically and socially. This publication provides an overview of the various initiatives we have undertaken over the years. It highlights our priority to education, healthcare, infrastructure development and enterprise development as key areas for investment, which were all essentially aligned to the company’s Building Forever goals. Through these efforts, we have succeeded in leaving a positive legacy that goes beyond mere extraction of minerals. Our commitment to Building Forever extends beyond financial contributions; it also includes investment in skills development, opening employment opportunities for previously unemployed individuals within our host communities.It encompasses the active participation of our employees, who volunteered their time and expertise to make a difference. Their passion for giving back has been truly inspiring and demonstrates our collective belief in creating a better world for future generations. As we approach the closure of this mine, we remain committed to our resolve to ensure a smooth transition for both the workforce and surrounding communities. We will continue working closely with all stakeholders, primarily government, to minimise any potential adverse effects while maximising opportunities for sustainable growth. As our final tribute, this publication serves as a chronicle - documenting testimonies both grand and intimate, using photographs that captured moments frozen in time. Our aim is simply to ensure that the the positive legacy lives on beyond these pages. Let it serve as a reminder that every miner's sweat was was not in vain – it was for innovation, sustenance for families, and passion driving inevitable progress. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to every individual involved in making our mine and community development projects a resounding success. To our dedicated employees, supportive communities, government departments, and non-profit organisations that we partnered with – your unwavering support has been instrumental in bringing about positive change. As I conclude, I am reminded that while mines may close, legacies endure. I hope this publication serves as an inspiration to others in the industry and beyond, encouraging them to adopt similar practices towards responsible mining and sustainable development. Together, we can prove that mining can be a force for good, leaving behind valuable resources, infrastructure, a thriving community and but also thriving communities and a healthier environment that may be utilised for the benefit of the broader community in the long term. Thank you for taking the time to read through our remarkable journey of transformation and empowerment. Let us celebrate the accomplishments depicted within these pages and look forward to a future where mines are not just symbols of mineral extraction but catalysts for positive change. Sincerely, PJ JORDAAN Voorspoed Mine Closure Manager THE END OF AN ERA
6 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 A HISTORY OF MORE THAN 100 YEARS Voorspoed Mine’s history dates back as far as 1906. De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM) bought the mine from Voorspoed Diamond Mining in 1912, however, the company did not take up operations at the mine. Sampling only began in the 1960s and 1970s, with the new mining right granted by the Department of Mineral Resources in October 2006. Early commissioning activities commenced in 2007, and DBCM officially opened the mine on 4 November 2008 with its BBBEE partner, Ponahalo Holdings Limited. Known for its exotic-coloured stones, Voorspoed Mine is located 30km north-east of Kroonstad in the Fezile Dabi District within the Free State Province of South Africa. Voorspoed was mined using an open cast mining method at a depth of 248 meters. The mine produced around 650,000 carats per year, with standard drill and blast techniques being employed. First commissioning carats were produced at the mine in June 2008, with full production achieved during the second half of 2009. By the end of December 2018, over 6.4 million carats have been recovered. Full production was achieved during the second half of 2009. Voorspoed Mine was the first of a new generation of mines that set new standards in environmental and social performance. The mine had an exemplary environmental, rehabilitation and closure plan which had been drafted before construction, and long before the first diamond was even recovered from the ground. As a new generation mine, Voorspoed was operated by a new generation of miners. Its employees were more qualified than is traditional for the South African mining industry. All employees had matriculated and many with tertiary education. The mine had an outstanding record of Women in Mining, with 25 percent of technical and mining jobs were held by women, while 36 percent of the mine’s complement being female.
VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 7 The mine also made use of local suppliers for its non-core activities, with the focus being to promote regional Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) through the facilitation and transfer of business and entrepreneurial skills. More than 50 percent of procurement was sourced from Black Empowered and Owned companies. In November 2017, the De Beers Group announced it was seeking expressions of interest from potential buyers of the mine. The decision was taken with the aim of providing an opportunity for lower-cost operators to extend the life of the mine beyond 2020, thereby offering continued employment and economic activity in the host community. However, with no suitable buyer found, the mine is now being prepared for closure. At peak production levels, 70% of the 430 full time employees at Voorspoed were from local communities. The mine complement was 87% historically disadvantaged South African (HDSA), HDSA employees also accounted for 72% of the management positions.
8 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 OUR COMMITMENT TO BUILDING FOREVER Building Forever is our commitment to create a positive impact that endures well beyond the discovery of our last diamond. It is our guiding ambition and a detailed blueprint of how we aim to achieve a fairer, safer, cleaner and healthier world. As a global company involved in every step of a diamond’s journey, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility at the De Beers Group to be a good force good. When people buy a De Beers Group diamond, they want to know it has played an active part in making the world a better place, and we recognise that we can play an important role in helping to address crucial issues like poverty and climate change. Our host communities face challenges including high unemployment, inequality and water scarcity, and as a responsible corporate citizen we understand that we have both a deep responsibility and unique opportunity to contribute to finding solutions. Addressing issues is therefore critical if we are to maintain our social licence to operate and the confidence of those who buy our diamonds. Through Building Forever, we are being held accountable over the long term with a comprehensive set of targets and commitments. However, the widening social inequalities, increasing climate crisis, and other pressing global challenges are compelling us to think bolder and advance faster. As 2020 approached, the United Nations called for a Decade of Action to speed up solutions to the world’s biggest challenges. It urged all sections of society to actively participate in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and secure peace and prosperity for all. To play our part, we set ourselves 12 stretch goals in 2020 to achieve by the end of the decade. These are based on four areas – our pillars – where we believe we can have the greatest positive impact. While our goals align with the UN SDGs, they also align with the national priorities and development plans of the countries where we operate. They include commitments to become carbon neutral, to provide the origin and impact of every diamond we discover and sell, to achieve gender parity in our workforce and to support four jobs in our host countries for every one job in our operations.
OUR FOUR PILLARS When setting our 2030 goals, we engaged with our partners, host communities and employees across all divisions of the business. Together we identified four key areas where we have a unique capability and responsibility to drive meaningful progress and change. These are our Building Forever pillars, each comprising three goals. VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 9
TIME LINE 2008 2008 2008 Construction of Voorspoed began in 2006, and the mine was officially opened on the 4th of November 2008 by the former Minister of the Department of Minerals and Energy, Ms. Buyelwa Sonjica. 2008 Voorspoed spent R2,5 million in upgrading the Maokeng Road for the community of Moqhaka Local Municipality. Andy Taylor becomes the first Operational Readiness Manager at Voorspoed. Installation of high mast lighting and streetlights in Koppies, Tumahole, Kwakwasi, Heilbron, Parys, Edenville and Phiritona. 2010 2010 2012 The De Beers Zimele Voorspoed Hub is launched in November 2010. Mpumi Zikalala is appointed as the first female General Manager for Voorspoed Mine. Voorspoed constructs a Science Centre near Parys to provide real value to students in the community by improving the quality of education in Mathematics and Science. In July 2009, the Educational Support and Upliftment programme commenced in Moqhaka and Ngwathe with Saturday classes for Grade 12 learners. This is still an ongoing programme. 2009 2008 - 2012 10 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022
De Beers Consolidated Mines spent R5.1million in supporting education projects in the Free State Province. 2016 Malcolm Hendrickse is appointed as General Manager at Voorspoed Mine. 2016 Voorspoed funds the Field Band Foundation for leaners living with disabilities in Parys, Vredefort. 2013 2013 - 2016 2013 Benford Mokoatle is appointed as General Manager for Voorspoed Mine. VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 11
2017 - 2020 2017 De Beers Zimele approves a R4.2 million loan for a bussing empowerment deal in Kroonstad between Multi Transport and Mmetlakgola Transport. 2018 De Beers Fund, Free State Department of Education and the Kagiso Shanduka Trust, announce the construction of a R27 million school in Maokeng in Kroonstad. The Phuleng Primary School was officially handed over in 2021. 2018 Voorspoed has been Fatality-Free since construction began, and by the end of October 2018, the mine recorded 3,157,738 cumulative Fatality-Free shifts and 7,615 cumulative Fatality-Free production shifts. TIME LINE 12 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022
2018 Voorspoed wins the John T Ryan Plaque in the diamond category for ‘Best in Class’ at the annual South African Mine Safety awards. 2019 Donated two mobile clinics in Kroonstad valued at R1.1million to serve local communities of Moqhaka Municipalities and surrounding farms in the Fezile Dabi District. 2020 In partnership with Ngwathe Local Municipality, Voorspoed handed over a R5 million old age facility to Ratang Maqheku Centre for the Aged in Parys. 2020 Voorspoed donated a 14 000 litre tank truck to provide water relief to three towns in Moqhaka during the Covid-19 pandemic. VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 13
“Wherever you go in the Free State you are bound to find people who talk about the ‘good force’ that Voorspoed was in the region. Whether it is about the small businesses we uplifted through Zimele, our community outreach projects or the development of young talent, people noted it.” – Maxwell Morapeli, Head of Mine Closure, De Beers Group “Open dialogue and engagement were rooted in the DNA of the mine since its inception. It is the only mine I have worked for where prayer and worship was openly practiced in formal gatherings.” – Malcolm Hendrickse, former General Manager, Voorspoed “I think it is fair to say that the challenges the mine faced made Voorspoed a praying mine.” – Jordaan Petrus, Mine Closure Manager, Voorspoed 14 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022
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SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY The safety of our employees and contractors is one of our key values. The effective management of safety risks requires constant vigilance. It requires stringent adherence to international standards, our Principles, leadership from managers and peers, as well as a culture of sustained safety and hazard awareness. It also requires ongoing communication and training, as well as rigorous internal and third-party audits. Benchmarking of performance as well as safety risk assessments and other processes are conducted at all our mining operations. Employees and contractors are required to follow health and safety practices consistent with our Safety Policy. 2006 – 2010 Department of Mineral Resources Certificate; 4yrs Fatality-Free – 621 000 Fatality-Free Shifts 2012 Best in Class; Mine Safe Awards 2013 4000 Fatality-Free Production Days 2015 Best Safety Performance in Class; Mine Safe Awards – 2nd Place 2017 Best Improved Safety Performance; Mine Safe Awards – 2nd Place 2017 Best Safety Performance in Class; Mine Safe Awards – 2nd Place 2018 Best Improved Safety Performance, Mine Safe Awards – 1st Place 2018 Best Safety Performance in Class, Mine Safe Awards – 1st Place 16 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022
VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 17 Teresia Zwide Former Employee: Female Truck Operator “I joined Voorspoed Mine as a truck operator in 2007, and since day one, safety has always been at the forefront of our culture. This culture became our DNA and even as truck operators, our goal was to always deliver safe tonnes. I was very passionate about my job and proud of myself for successfully pursuing a career which has historically been dominated by men. This passion led to my promotion in 2010, where I became a supervisor, and later in 2014, I became a shift boss for three sections. All my achievements were driven by our company’s values, with safety at the forefront. We had a slogan that said, ‘you see it, you own it’, meaning that all of us were safety leaders irrespective of what level you were within the business. I continued to work for Voorspoed post mine closure as the rehab foreman in 2019, making sure that we continue the safe culture beyond closure. De Beers changed many lives in the Free State, and for us who got to experience this change in action, we are eternally grateful.” SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY
18 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 Honki Ramaele Former employee – Mine Survey Officer “I have been part of the Voorspoed family since the Mine opened in 2008, and I have seen our values in action. I started my career as a Mine Survey Assistant, and through on the job training, I was promoted to a Survey Officer in 2012. When the Mine closed in 2018, I had gained enough experience to start my own company and provide survey services to other mining companies and businesses. When Voorspoed went into rehabilitation, I approached them to see where I could add value since they played such an important role in my journey. Today my company provides survey services as a contractor – and this is truly a full circle moment for me. Thank you to De Beers for living their value of Show We Care; I have seen how this has made a difference in my life.” SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY
SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION Voorspoed Mine has a long-standing partnership with the Free State Department of Education through its educational support programme, which has assisted the department with infrastructure and educational support over the years. One of De Beers’ educational interventions that has benefited matriculants in the Free State is the Maths and Science programme which supports leaners and educators from 26 high schools across the Province. The three-month Maths and Science education programme, which is sponsored by Voorspoed Mine in partnership with the Free State Department of Education, offers work revision and practical lessons, and inspires the learners to achieve good results in subjects such as Physical and Life Sciences, Maths, Accounting and Business studies. The mine also pays for the educators’ salaries and provides laptops to the top performing learners in the Province. Voorspoed Mine is proud to be part of the Province’s educational interventions, which have contributed to the Free State being crowned the best performing Province for its matric pass rate since 2019. Another milestone of our partnership with the Free State Department of Education and Kagiso Shanduka Trust is the construction of a R27 million school in Maokeng in Kroonstad. Phuleng Primary School falls under De Beers Voorspoed Mine’s Rural School Development Programme, which aims to address infrastructure needs for local schools, leave a legacy for communities, and develop a working partnership with the Department of Education. The school, which will benefit over 850 leaners, boasts 20 new classrooms and 17 ablution facilities which cater for learners with disabilities. The Grade R section boasts 3 new classrooms, a play area and ablution facilities. VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 19
Victoria de Beer Executive Mayor, Ngwathe Municipality “I want to thank De Beers for the contribution they continue to make to the education of matriculants in our communities. Through their generous support, they have played a huge role in making sure that our municipality remains the best performing in the Province when it comes to matric results. Even though the mine is no longer operational, investing in our youth will also assist in eradicating unemployment. These young people now have a start in life with a good education as a foundation. We also acknowledge the good work that De Beers continues to do through infrastructure projects and various donations to further alleviate poverty and empower our communities.” SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION 20 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022
VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 21 Mary-Ann Mnaba Principal, Phuleng Primary School Location: Kroonstad “Phuleng Primary is a state-of-the-art institution that has made a significant difference to the community, especially vulnerable learners, and their families. This is not just a learning institution; it is a place of hope and safety. Our learners and their families were provided with food parcels and school uniforms – a contribution that has been appreciated by us all. Thank you to De Beers for being a force of change and the role they continue to play in the sustainability and development of our communities.” SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION
SPOTLIGHT ON HUMANITARIAN RELIEF The Covid-19 pandemic was one of the most devastating public health and socioeconomic challenges the world has faced in living memory. As a responsible corporate citizen and a long-term committed partner in the countries and communities where we operate, the De Beers Group actively supported the efforts of our host communities in responding to the health crisis. The De Beers Group implemented a support programme in excess of $5 million across all its four diamond producing partner countries of Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa to support Covid-19 response efforts. The support provided included medical supplies, logistical support, vulnerability assessment support plans, food security for vulnerable households, and water supply to communities. To ensure that our support was tailored to the specific needs of each community, we worked closely with stakeholders including the community, traditional and religious leaders and government agencies to understand their needs so that we were providing the right support at the right time, both during the pandemic and into the vital economic recovery phase. In the Free State, Voorspoed Mine partnered with NGO’s and local churches to provide support to nearby communities within the Fezile Dabi District. This included a donation of food necessities such as maize meal, rice, mealie rice, tea, milk, canned foods and hygiene products to support vulnerable people in the community. The donation reached close to 3000 vulnerable households and over R3 000 000 was spent on this initiative. The cost included empowering a local NGO, Zola Sera Foundation, who were selected to facilitate the packaging and distribution of the food parcels. 22 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022
VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 23 Sonti Thabe Local Area Manager – Moqhaka Local Municipality Mobile Clinics Beneficiary “The two mobile clinics that were donated by De Beers were a lifeline during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. We have many people who struggle to get access to health facilities since they live in rural and hard to reach areas (because of road infrastructure). Due to the quality of the vehicles, we were able to travel to rural towns such as Viljoenskroon to do our Covid-19 outreach programmes and offer vaccinations. But beyond Covid-19, we can take our health campaigns to the people who need them the most, like the elderly who suffer from diabetes and high blood pressure. The mobile clinics have restored a sense of trust in the health system because of their reliability and conveniency. The investment that De Beers has made is truly immeasurable.” SPOTLIGHT ON HUMANITARIANS
24 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 Lerato Ngobeni Water & Sanitation Manager Moqhaka Local Municipality “De Beers CSI investment in our communities has played a significant role in improving service delivery in Moqhaka Municipality. We first partnered with the company when they funded dry sanitation toilets in our communities, a project which restored human dignity to many families. In 2018, De Beers donated an 8000L water truck, an investment which came in handy during the Covid-19 pandemic. We were able to use this truck to reach isolated families and provide them with water. The learners that they assist to train are now professional plumbers who are helping the municipality to fix our water infrastructures. We appreciate the investment made by De Beers.” Pogisho Matsie Chairperson – Ratang Maqheku Centre Old Age Facility in Tumahole, Parys “Our journey with De Beers began when they visited our old premises for Mandela Day in 2017. At the time, we were operating from three rented backyard rooms, catering for 30 elderly people daily. The company heard our cries for help and built us a facility that is not only a safe haven for the aged, but it has also restored their dignity.” SPOTLIGHT ON HUMANITARIANS
SPOTLIGHT ON STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Voorspoed Mine has built a sound working relationship with the Moqhaka and Ngwathe Local Municipalities, as well as the Fezile Dabi District Municipality and the Free State Provincial Government. These relationships thrive through partnerships in community-based initiatives, and more specifically in the areas of education, enterprise development and community projects. Voorspoed Mine is aware that it does not exist in a vacuum, but rather forms part of a landscape that contains a complex network of stakeholders – all with a valid and material stake in our operation. As a responsible corporate citizen, we consider it critical to understand who our stakeholders are and how we can engage and manage our relationship more effectively. Our aim has always been to become fully integrated within the local community and to be seen as a partner in poverty alleviation and job creation. As a result, the mine has made a concerted effort to take part in a significant number of existing stakeholder engagement platforms. One of the most important platforms has been the Local Area Committee (LAC), which was instituted by Voorspoed Mine. The LAC was launched in June 2009, contributing towards the social upliftment in the communities of the Moqhaka Local Municipality and the Ngwathe Local Municipality, including the towns of Kroonstad, Steynsrus, Viljoenskroon, Vredefort, Parys, Koppies, Heilbron and Edenville. THE LAC HAS IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING FOUR FOCUS AREAS FOR ITS SOCIAL INVESTMENT: • Skills Development and Income Generation Projects • Education • Welfare – with specific focus on the elderly, people living with disabilities, youth and homeless people e.g., food and care giving programmes • HIV/AIDS (Home-based care and orphanages) VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 25
Dikomo Baholo Senior Employment Practitioner Department of Employment and Labour, Moqhaka Municipality “Our journey with De Beers began in 2017 when Voorspoed Mine requested that we partner to roll out the community training programme for young people in our communities. The aim of the programme was to recruit and train them in welding, plumbing and water treatment. What really impressed us was the company’s fucus on empowering women and people living with disabilities. We were given a directive to prioritise those marginalised groups first when we searched for candidates on our database. I had the opportunity to attend one of the onboarding sessions for the candidates and what stood out for me was quality of practical experience that they were going to receive. If you take into consideration the high levels of unemployment in our communities, it was great to see young people being given tools to prepare them for the job market. Over and above the technical training, they received life changing skills on work ethics, how to build a personal brand and how to market themselves. De Beers should be proud of the difference it has made to these young people’s lives.” SPOTLIGHT ON STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 26 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022
VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 27 Tebogo Taje Voorspoed Contractor – Berakhah Trading (Pty) Ltd Services: Construction and Civil Engineering “As a service provider that was appointed to assist Voorspoed Mine to build some of their legacy projects, our highlight was seeing the joy and appreciation from the community when the projects were handed over. A project that stands out for me, was the construction of dry sanitation toilets in an area where there was no sanitation, and how this impacted the dignity and the health of the community. This is one of those projects that the community will forever be grateful for, and we are proud to have been part of this history. We received a lot of job requests as a local contractor and experienced some backlash from community due to the high unemployment rate in our communities. However, these challenges were resolved peacefully, working in partnership with Voorspoed management and the local government. We made sure we employed as many local people as we possibly could for projects – which was a critical priority for De Beers. Looking back, it’s safe to say that Voorspoed Mine was truly guided by it values!” SPOTLIGHT ON STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
SPOTLIGHT ON A UNIQUE WORKFORCE Voorspoed Mine’s workforce stood out for its young, strong qualifications and the inclusion of women and people living with disabilities. The average employee age was younger than 35 years. All employees had a Grade 12 qualification, with most of them also having a tertiary education – making it one of the best qualified workforces in the South African mining industry. Focus was placed on putting a significant proportion of women in technical positions. At the age of 30, Mpumi Zikalala became the youngest and first female General Manager at Voorspoed Mine. EMPOWERING PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES • Specific provision was made for the employment of people living with disabilities under the Disabled People’s Employment Equity Programme, a joint initiative between the Ponahalo De Beers Disabled Persons Trust and Voorspoed. Ponahalo funded a local recruitment drive for disabled candidates in partnership with the Tumahole Self-Help Association of People with Disabilities (TSHAD) and the Association of People with Disabilities. • A shortlist of 20 candidates were selected to undergo professional testing and evaluation. Four of the candidates secured positions at Voorspoed – two as service operators, one as a public and corporate affairs assistant, and one as a diamond sorter. • Those who were unable to secure positions were included in the TSHAD database and recruited when other job opportunities became available. 28 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022
VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 29 Dimakatso ‘Maki’ Mokgwetsi Voorspoed Contractor – Maki’s Diva Cleaning Services Location: Kroonstad Services: Provides cleaning services at Voorspoed Mine “When my contract with Voorspoed Mine resumed in January 2008, I had only 5 employees. As the mine went into full production, the demand for our services grew, and by 2017, I had 22 employees proving cleaning services at Voorspoed. During this time, I saw remarkable growth in my business, and I began to explore other ventures. I was able to afford a bakkie, a vending machine as well as a mobile fridge that I was renting out to the community. But most importantly, I was able to give back to the community! I bought 200 pairs of school shoes for less privileged learners, and sanitary pads for young girls. When one of my employees passed away, I was able to pay for her child to obtain a tertiary qualification. For me, this is the most valuable contribution from De Beers: to enable me to be a beacon of hope for my community.” Maspanki Mohasa Director: Spanky Electrical Electrician and Bee Handler at Voorspoed Mine “When I look back at my time with Voorspoed Mine, I am grateful for the opportunities that they gave us as women to pursue our dreams in the mining industry. We have walked away with skills and knowledge we thought were not possible. Today I am a qualified electrician with my own company, providing services to the same company that opened doors for me. The highlight of my career is receiving my red seal and medium voltage certificate – a qualification which is not easily attainable at all. This achievement has and will change my life for the better. I am certain that the future of my family is secured.” * Maspanki is also a bee hander, assisting Voorspoed Mine to safely relocate bees from site as part of the Re-Imagining Mine Closure project. SPOTLIGHT ON A UNIQUE WORKFORCE
30 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 Mojabeng Pinkoane Former Voorspoed Mine Employee (Living with disability) Corporate Affairs Administrator: Social Performance “I am honoured to have been amongst the newly appointed employees who got to witness the launch of Voorspoed Mine in November 2008. This was truly a unique workforce, and I was proud to be part of it as an employee living with a disability. The inclusion of employees like myself during the Disability Employment Equity Project initiative was my biggest highlight. Through this project, red tape such as the essential minimum requirements for potential candidates with disabilities was either removed or adjusted to fit us. We were given an opportunity to select where we would like to be placed within the operation, while our limitations and capabilities were taken into consideration to accommodate us as employees. Another highlight was the culture at Voorspoed, which offered a sense of closeness and unity. It’s this culture that drove us to safely achieve our production targets even during the challenging times.” SPOTLIGHT ON A UNIQUE WORKFORCE
SPOTLIGHT ON EMPOWERING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS The De Beers Zimele Community Fund was created and rolled-out in October 2007 with De Beers Consolidated Mines’ (DBCM) support, to aid enterprise development, employment creation and poverty alleviation in the areas of De Beers’ operations. The initiative builds on the Anglo American Zimele Businesses Development Model, a model which the De Beers Zimele Voorspoed Business Hub in Kroonstad adopted when it launched. In 2017, De Beers increased its enterprise development efforts in line with its commitment to the Social and Labour Plans agreed to with its hosting communities. Deliberate actions were initiated and undertaken to ensure that local enterprises in the labour sending areas of Voorspoed Mine are developed and supported to take advantage of the supplier spend invested by the company. All businesses were enrolled in the supplier development programme offered by the Mine and delivered through an expert partner. This involved a baseline assessment of all newly appointed suppliers and the design and implementation of a customised programme to assist them to develop business skills and other skills necessary for continued growth and sustainability of their businesses. A mentorship programme of about two years was offered and included formal, mentoring, training, coaching and the provision of tools to enable the businesses to put the necessary controls and governance expected of any business in place. A key focus of the programme was the marketing and growth of the businesses to ensure sustainability beyond the contract with the mine. In 2018, Voorspoed spent a total of R49.95 million on local procurement from 10 suppliers from its labour sending communities. The suppliers offer services such as office cleaning, building maintenance, canteen and catering services, plant cleaning, and the supply of warning signs around the plant – collectively, they have created 129 jobs. VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 31
SPOTLIGHT ON EMPOWERING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS 32 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022
VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 33 SPOTLIGHT ON EMPOWERING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS Moses Kekana Zimele Beneficiary – Green Kid SA “I’m grateful to Voorspoed Mine for offering me an opportunity to pursue my dreams as a young entrepreneur. Through their enterprise development programme, I received funding to follow my passion and launch my waste management company. I am a proud member of this community and I wanted to ensure that our streets are clean and that I educate our communities about the dangers of littering. Thanks to De Beers I managed to buy 3 skip bins and placed them around Kroonstad, and today we have about 200 bins in town. We also work with 30 local schools on our Eco School Recycling Programme, and we educate learners on the issues of global warming and dangers of electrical waste. This has been a very fulfilling journey and we are now the proud winners of the Kwela Waste Management Competition, which named Kroonstad the cleanest town in the Free State Province. This would not be possible without the support from De Beers.” Lynn Damon Voorspoed Contractor – Ulynn Mining Training & Projects Location: Kroonstad Services: Provides administration services “We started our business offering administrative services, but we are now moving to the next level and are in the process of getting our Mining Qualifications Authority certificate. Our goal is to become the training service provider of choice in the mining environment! With this certificate we will be able to offer mining courses such as operator skills programme, competent in blasted and nonblasted material, blasting in surface mines and quarries and skills programmes in occupational health and safety. We currently employ three females and one male and, thanks to De Beers, we see a future in this space. The company has played an important role in boosting the economy of the Free State by uplifting small businesses like ours. Today we are also able to actively participate in growing the economy of our Province and give back where possible.”
34 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 “Successful rehabilitation forms an integral part of achieving the goal of sustainable mine closure. Some of the successes include ecologically stable landforms, the establishment of robust and vigorous revegetation, post-closure end land use, biodiversity aspirations and a reduction in closure liability.” – Hans Kgasago, Rehabilitation and Environmental Manager, Voorspoed Leaving a legacy and Building Forever, was at the center of all our social projects.” – Lebogang Mphaka, Corporate Affairs Manager, Voorspoed
VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 35 [OFFICIAL] “We believed in open communication and keeping our stakeholders informed, given that community engagement, communication, stakeholder engagement and media relations were key components when the mine was starting out.” – Josephine Pieters, Former Public and Corporate Affairs Manager, Voorspoed
2008 De Beers Consolidated Mines officially opened Voorspoed Mine on 4 November 2008. It was the first new diamond mine to be opened in South Africa in two decades. 214m As at the end of 2017, the open pit operation was mined to an approximated depth of 214 meters. 2018 Production ceased and mine closure commenced. 6.4Mct As at the end of 2018, 6.4Mct carats of diamonds were recovered. Voorspoed was known for exotic and occasionally large diamonds. 2 Voorspoed Mine has two host communities in the Free State Province, Moqhaka and Ngwathe Local Municipalities. 26% In line with the Mining Charter, Voorspoed Mine was 74% owned by De Beers Consolidated Mine and 26% by the Panahalo Trust, the BEE partner. 2019 Voorspoed achieved HDSA complement of: • 58% top management • 75% senior management • 41% middle management • 84% junior management • 93% for core and critical skills. 14 Through an agreement signed with organised labour, Voorspoed assisted 14 of its employees through the Facilitated Home Ownership Scheme. VOORSPOED IN NUMBERS 36 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022
R25m The R25million Phuleng Primary School in Maokeng, which was handed over to the Department of Education by De Beers in 2021, has 26 classrooms. 1912 De Beers acquired Voorspoed from the Voorspoed Diamond Mining Company in 1912. 65 Over 65 local companies benefited through the Zimele Hub, creating and sustaining 1320 jobs. 3000 During Covid -19, we donated over 3000 food parcels to the community of Fezile Dabi District in partnership with various NGOs, youth organisations, local municipalities, Mayors and churches. 2700 The mine indirectly created 2700 jobs during its lifetime. R2.1m In partnership with Ngwathe Local Municipality and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Voorspoed unveiled a newly renovated water testing lab worth R2.1million. 0 Voorspoed Mine recorded zero fatalities since construction began in 2007. R10.3m Voorspoed Mine has approved a budget of R10,3million between 2022 and 2023 for the following programmes – Financial Study Assistance, Maths & Science, Enterprise Development, Infrastructure, CSI Projects and Community Skills Development. 35% Women constituted 35% of the total workforce, while people with disabilities stood at 2.72% as at the end of 2018. 30km The Mine is located 30km northeast of Kroonstad in the Fezile Dabi District Municipality within the Free State Province. R56.9million In their 2017 -2021 SLP, Voorspoed spent R56,9million on Mine Community Development Projects. VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 37
R36m Voorspoed offered loans to the value of R36million to local SMMEs between 2012 and 2018. 1200 At the peak of construction activities, more than 1200 temporary jobs were created, with more than 43% of these positions having been filled by people from the Fezile Dabi region. R3,7m In 2007 R3,7million was spent on completing the High Mast Light and Electrical Refurbishment project in the Ngwathe Local Municipality. The project was 12 months ahead of schedule. 315 millimeters Construction was frequently disrupted between September and November 2007, when 315 millimeters of rain fell in 34 days. This equates to 200% of the 30- year average for this time of year. 60% During the construction phase of the mine approximately 60% of construction workers employed were from the local communities. 1548 Between 2012 and 2018, local SMMEs supported by Voorspoed Mine created a total of 1 548 jobs. 53 Between 2012 and 2018, Voorspoed supported a total of 53 local SMMEs owned by the youth. 9 A total of 9 trainees were placed in the fields of plumbing, welding and water- treatment for a 12-month work integrated learning programme in partnership with Moqhaka and the Department of Labour & Employment. 2022 Voorspoed donated a container to the Tumahole Victim Support Centre, which will be used by GBV+F victims and survivors in Ngwathe Municipality. 48 Between 2012 and 2018, Voorspoed supported a total of 48 local SMMEs owned by women. R1.3 billion Total capital investment for constructing Voorspoed Mine. 38 VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022
VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022 39 FACTS & FIGURES Location 30 kilometers northeast of Kroonstad in the Fezile Dabi district of Free State Province, South Africa. Ownership De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM)/Ponahalo Holdings Ltd. Construction Budget R1.3 billion (US$133 million). Project Partners Murray & Roberts (project alliance partner); Concor Roads (bulk earthworks, pre-production mining and platework); Genrec (structural steel); Wade Walker (electrical and instrumentation installation); Polysius (high pressure grinding roll and scrubber); DebTech (X-ray scanning equipment). Licences Voorspoed Environmental Management Programme (EMP) approved on 10 October 2006; New Order Mining Licence awarded on 10 October 2006 and valid until 9 October 2023. Production Lifespan 11 years at around 600,000 carats per annum; 6.4 million carats over the life of mine. Mining Method Open cut mining to a depth of 248 meters, using ‘split shell’ open pit mining, with standard drill and blast techniques. Processing Primary, secondary, tertiary crushing; high pressure roll crushing (HPRC); dense media separation (DMS); drum separation, X-ray sorting. Environmental Aspect R86.5million provided for the life of mine environmental management, including ongoing annual rehabilitation and final mine closure. Workforce 430 full-time employees at peak production (350 DBCM and 80 operational partner positions). The average employee was younger than 35 years, educational levels were also higher than in any other diamond mine in South Africa. Approximately 87% of employees came from historically disadvantaged South African (HDSA) groups. HDSA employees accounted for more than 70% of management positions, with 35% of the workforce being classified as ‘women in mining’.
VOORSPOED MINE 2008 - 2022