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Update on the Recommencement of RBPlat’s Operations
ROYAL BAFOKENG PLATINUM LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 2008/015696/06)
JSE share code: RBP ISIN: ZAE000149936
JSE bond code: RBPCB ISIN: ZAE000243853
("RBPlat" or the "Company")
UPDATE ON THE RECOMMENCEMENT OF RBPLAT’S OPERATIONS
Security holders are referred to the Company’s announcement on 24 March 2020 following the
President of South Africa’s declaration of a national 21-day lockdown starting at midnight from 26
March 2020 until 16 April 2020. In the announcement it was stated that the Company’s operations
would be placed under care and maintenance, with only essential services in place for the duration
of the lockdown. On 9 April 2020, the President announced a further two weeks extension to the
lockdown beyond the initial 21 days resulting in most of the existing lockdown measures remaining
in force until 30 April 2020.
RBPlat remains fully supportive of the President’s decision to enforce a nationwide lockdown in an
attempt to fundamentally disrupt the chain of COVID-19 transmission. As an industry, we have had
regular engagement with government through the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to
ensure the wellbeing of our communities as well as discussing mitigating strategies to limit the
economic ramifications of the pandemic.
Following these engagements, the industry has been granted permission by government to phase in
mining capacity to 50% during the lockdown. RBPlat will therefore recommence its operations on 20
April 2020. This will enable the Company to de-risk its underground operations from large scale
“lapse of time”, induced falls of ground posing a safety risk and short to medium term economic
viability of our underground mining operations.
This is not a decision we have taken lightly, however we believe that it is the right decision to
safeguard our business and the livelihood of our employees. We are committed to ensuring that all
practicable measures to reduce the risk, exposure and spread of COVID-19 pandemic as envisaged
by the President are implemented to secure the wellbeing of our employees. As a Company, our
biggest assets are our people and we will continue to uphold our value of ‘People first’ and ensure
that every precaution to safeguard their health is implemented. The safety measures and protocols
currently in place include the following:
- An established task team to monitor, manage and control ongoing operational
requirements. The team meets daily with updates to the Chief Executive
- A dynamic COVID-19 action plan
- The communication and enforcement of strict social distancing rules and practices
- The development and implementation of extensive training, awareness and communication
programmes, which include various digital platforms, posters and mobile SMS messaging
- Body temperature screening at all strategic access points to the operations
- Dedicated hand sanitising points to and from key access areas
- Disinfection of all turnstiles across the operations
- Suspension of all biometric access - access control solely via clock card
- Regular updates to all employees about any new developments
- A fully staffed and 24/7 operational clinic
- Continual reinforcement of the importance of good hygiene
- A detailed Issue Based Risk Assessment dealing specifically with the COVID-19 risks
associated with the planned ramp-up has been developed and approved
- Implementation of a health programme for the vulnerable which includes flu immunisation
and vitamin supplementation
- Provision of a six-month supply of pre-packed chronic medication to vulnerable employees
that are on Platinum Health medical aid
- Ongoing disinfection of all cages, chairlifts, change houses, lamp rooms and traveling ways
to and from these areas (including all hand rails leading to and from these areas)
- Installation of ultra violet lights in all boardrooms and main meeting rooms
- Evaluation of sanitisation tunnels is currently underway and if found suitable will be rolled
out to strategic access points at our operations where practicable
- Identification of quarantine facilities for our employees
- In cases where employees are transported to and from operations, the following will be
implemented:
- enforcement of rules of social distancing
- regular disinfection of buses and
- compulsory facemasks for all employees embarking onto the buses.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe adverse, social and economic impact globally and locally
which RBPlat has not been immune to. In order to mitigate the impact on the livelihood of our
employees and their families during this difficult time we took a decision to pay our employees their
salaries for the initial 21-day lockdown period including medical aid and pension contributions and
where applicable homeowners allowances and living out allowances. However, the Executive
Committee and senior management have voluntarily waived 33% of their salary during the lockdown
period.
At this stage it is not possible to give an accurate estimate of the financial impact that the pandemic
will have on the Group as the situation remains fast changing but various scenarios have been
analysed and appropriate measures will be taken.
These are unprecedented times in which we believe that COVID-19 pandemic will be a part of our
operating environment for some time to come. We will continue to focus on the wellbeing of our
employees and the communities in which we operate while also ensuring the sustainability of our
business.
Johannesburg
17 April 2020
JSE Sponsor
Merrill Lynch South Africa Proprietary Limited
For further information, please contact:
Lindiwe Montshiwagae
Executive: Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Tel: +27 (0)10 590 4510
Email: lindiwe@bafokengplatinum.co.za
About RBPlat
Royal Bafokeng Platinum (RBPlat) is a mid-tier platinum group metals (PGMs) producer, originating
from a joint venture between Anglo American Platinum and Royal Bafokeng Holdings (RBH) known as
the Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum mine joint venture (BRPM JV).
In 2018 RBPlat became the 100% owner of its business, following the acquisition of the 33% portion
of the BRPM JV from Anglo American Platinum.
RBPlat mines platinum group metals in the Merensky and UG2 reefs on the Boschkoppie, Styldrift and
Frischgewaagd farms in the Rustenburg area which have been identified as hosting the last
undeveloped Merensky reef on the Western limb of the Bushveld complex. RBPlat’s assets are the
only known significant shallow high grade Merensky resources and reserves still available for mining
in South Africa.
Our strategy is underpinned by our aspiration of achieving ‘More than Mining’.
Further information is available on our corporate website: www.bafokengplatinum.co.za
Date: 17-04-2020 05:07:00
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