MCM BULLETIN A Magazine for Employees
Issue 19_2nd half 2019
MESSAGE FROM ACTING GENERAL MANAGER CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The First Miners and Metallurgists in the Region of Akjoujt www.mcmnews.com In this issue:
Page 3: ...... Message from Acting General Manager Page 4: ...... Briefs Page 5: ...... Briefs Page 6: ...... Corporate Social Responsibility Page 7: ...... Internal Communication Survey Results Page 8-9: ...... The First Miners and Metallurgists in the Region of Akjoujt Page 10: ...... Our Employees are at the Heart of our Operations Page 11: ...... How Copper is Concentrated Page 12: ...... Visible Felt Leadership, it’s about you Page 13: ...... 2019 Retirees Page 14: ...... Corona Virus CoVid19 Page 15: ...... Workers Voice Page 16: ...... Sudoku MCM Bulletin_Issue 19_2nd half 2019
MESSAGE FROM ACTING GENERAL MANAGER
Thanks to all for your hard work and perseverance in 2019, which allowed us to face significant challenges in the power house and major breakdowns in the plant. The year ahead will undoubtedly hold some additional challenges. Some of the key themes for the year will include:
John Dean ACTING GENERAL MANAGER Safety MAURITANIAN COPPER MINES An important goal for us in 2020 will be to continue encourag- ing our people to THINK, and take the classroom safety stages of the Mine Closure as we began reducing our scope of training we have done and apply it in the field. We will work work in 2019, perhaps most visibly with the reduction of our together toward another LTI-free year with continual improve- active mining fleet. ment in personal safety and accountability. Related to the reductions mentioned above, unfortunately we must take very difficult steps to reduce our workforce. One of Reliability the bright sides of mining is that it offers significant employ- We struggled in 2019 to meet targets for running hours on key ment opportunities during construction and operations. One of production equipment. When the SAG mill is down it is the challenging sides though is that, as with anything, those apparent that we have a lot of urgency to get it running again, employment opportunities eventually come to an end. We have as otherwise we have zero production. However, we need to begun this process with completion of Phase I of the Mine continue to work together to make sure that we apply the same Closure Workforce Reduction Plan. Unfortunately, it is urgency and enthusiasm to all primary production equipment. inevitable that reductions will continue to progress in 2020 and This means not only mills, but also gravity gold concentrators, 2021, and my request to the team has been for their full support the magnetite plant, mobile fleet, etc. We must also improve the and compassionate leadership as we take these very difficult, reliability of the services such as water and power supply. but necessary steps.
Recovery and Product Quality Guelb Moghrein is an important contributor in Mauritania in The Arsenic-in-feed grade has increased substantially from terms of employment, government revenues, and social prior years. Our ability to deal with this is much improved contributions. Inevitably as we enter the Mine Closure phase from previous years, but it will require continuing focus and with dwindling ore reserves and lower grades, our contributions improvement for us to produce on-spec concentrate whilst in these areas will decline. This will be felt by employees, maintaining recovery of copper and gold. local stakeholders, Government, suppliers, and other important We also took steps to improve gold recovery in 2019 with the groups. A key focus for our team in 2020 will be to work on installation of gravity concentrators in the tailings circuit. maintaining positive relations with all stakeholder groups, Much work remains in this area to optimize gold recovery despite the challenges we face. Each of you has a role to play through maximum availability and well-tuned operation of all in maintaining our positive relations, and a large part of it is our gold recovery units. effectively communicating about the difficulties that a late life mining operation faces as it embarks on the Mine Closure Initiation of Mine Closure Phase phase. The greatest challenges for us in 2020 are the aspects related to the Mine Closure Phase. Over the years our mineral reserves In closing, once again a special thanks to you all, as I know have progressively been depleted and head grades declined. many of you have made personal sacrifices in order to keep this This trend will continue over the coming year with a site running. I look forward to continuing to work with you ramp-down in mining and open pit reserves are expected to over the coming year, and that we continue to develop and be exhausted in 2021. We have already entered the initial advance together.
3 www.mcmnews.com MCM Bulletin_Issue 19_2nd half 2019
Briefs African Cup of Na�ons
For the first time, Mauritanian national soccer team has qualified to play in the African Cup of Nations 2019 which took place in Egypt. Here in Akjoujt, there are hundreds of football lovers, most of whom are young people, who support The Mourabitounes.
As a major local sports activities sponsor, MCM partnered with the Youth Associations Network to prepare a free access space at Youth House of Akjoujt with a giant HD screen. All matches of the Vaccina�on campaign continental competition were displayed and the attendance rate was The ministry of health in Mauritania conducts at least very high. two vaccination campaigns per year, these campaigns aim to protect children under 5 years from diseases like poliomyelitis.
Reaching children in remote areas inside the region of Inchiri has always been a challenge for the vaccina- tion teams, since 2006 to date, MCM enables vaccina- tion campaigns reach every child inside the whole region of Inchiri by providing 4x4 vehicles and fuel during the whole campaign period (3-4 days).
A vaccination campaign took place on July 29th 2019 with the usual logistics support provided by MCM.
Eastern dam rehabilita�on Small business management training The Akjoujt eastern dam is one of the oldest and largest dams in the region of Inchiri and is versatile in usage. In addition to its pivotal The graduates of last year’s third edition of the role in providing seasonal agricultural land to the local community, literacy program have benefited from training it has also other important roles in supplying groundwater grooves focusing on the management of small businesses that feed some of the boreholes in its surroundings and protecting that they can manage individually or in groups. the city of Akjoujt from the floods caused by rainfalls. This training enabled them to better understand and Due to the importance of this dam in the life of the local communi- master the mechanisms and tools necessary in order ty, MCM undertook in August rehabilitation works, which included to make their businesses more profitable and well strengthening the dike, deepening the storage area and facilitating managed to ensure a sustainable source of income. the flow of excess water to pass through the wadi of Alhadayegh Five groups of 25 women each have been trained in without causing damage to the city. 2019.
4 www.mcmnews.com MCM Bulletin_Issue 19_2nd half 2019
Briefs
Concrete blocks and �les training
As part of youth diversified training program aiming to Youth training build their capacities and provide more job opportunities, Youth capacity building is one of MCM community MCM launched on 16th October a training on making development pillars, many trainings have been different types and sizes of concrete blocks and tiles from a provided in this regard over the past years. During hand machine. 10 young people from Akjoujt and Bennich- November 2019, 20 young people from Akjoujt ab have attended to the training over 12 days and they were attended to Projects Development Training which was certified by the manufacturer of the hand machine who designed to equip them with the skills required to provided the training. develop, manage, evaluate and monitor small business projects. The machine and its accessories were handed over to the trainees under the supervision of Youth Association The training content focuses on theoretical and Network in Akjoujt and the Municipality of Bennichab. practical tools that enable the youth prepare a well-written and solid business plan able to attract the MAURITANIDES 2018 needed funds. The trainees were certified at the end of training period. Literacy program 2019-2020
Akjoujt hospital
After the success of the first three editions of the literacy program in 2017, 2018 & 2019, MCM launched the 2020 edition with a significant increase in the number of participants.
150 women from Akjoujt divided into 6 centers were During the rainy season, Akjoujt Hospital was affected registered to attend literacy courses for a period of 6 by the floods that hit the town in the morning of months. September 6th. MCM intervened immediately by providing power generator to the temporary hospital installed by the Ministry and contributed to cleaning the Hospital buildings. In addition to this, MCM undertook maintenance work at the Hospital that included internal and external painting, carpentry and roof repairs.
5 www.mcmnews.com MCM Bulletin_Issue 19_2nd half 2019
CORPORATE SOCIAL Aboubekrine Elemine RESPONSIBILITY Country Manager
MCM is an important economic actor in Mauri- tion. In fact, the Company’ Environmental and Social tania not only though the taxes and royalties Impact Assessment ESIA which was submitted before project construction phase covered all aspects related to paid to the government as per its convention environment preservation and Community Development. It with the State but also through its positive was done in accordance with international guidelines like impact on various sectors of National economy. Equator Principles, World Bank and International Finance Corporation standards and has followed the best practices in In the past decades, Corporate Social Responsibility CSR mining industry. MCM Social Action Plan contributed in was focused on community development by contributing in community development through different actions including the improvement of living condition of local communities health, access to water, education, infrastructure training and preserving environment. It was defined as a manage- and capacity building as well as income generating activi- ment concept, whereby companies integrate social and ties. environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders. As companies are Despite the difficult economic condition and as we are present in different parts of the world, their social and approaching the end of the mine life, the company prepared environmental concerns may be different due to the various a Closure Plan based on sustainable actions and intended to cultures, social norms and value systems of the respective promote training, capacity building and income generating stakeholders; this means that CSR activities need to be activities which are independent from mining and adapted to adapted to the specific situation of the region to have them the after mine conditions. accepted by local communities and guarantee their success. Local content is a relatively new and large concept includ- Important achievements were also made in terms of Local ing other areas like jobs creation, technology transfer, Content: generation of industrial cluster, use of local contractors and manufacturers. Local employees were trained to a high level of qualifica- tion to meet FQML group standards and mining industry’s The link between Corporate Social Responsibility and the ones all over the world. The company’s level of jobs emerging Local Content in mining is not yet properly localization is among the highest in Mauritanian mining established in spite of the fact that the idea behind the two sector. Some of MCM key managerial positions are succes- concepts is quite similar with each trying to promote sively run by locals. welfare, economic and sustainable development for the resource–rich nations. Both concepts are intended to Development of local business has been encouraged by increase the positive impact of mining; one on impacted awarding contracts to local companies, encouraging local local communities and the other, on the state economy in purchase and assisting local contractors to acquire know general through generation of endogenous growth based on how and required standards in order to be competitive in increased domestic content for economic diversification. mining industry. In this regard, Mauritanian companies were awarded contracts in many areas including civil, transport, Since the early days of its operation, MCM has put in place security, drilling, etc. a system allowing to take these two concepts into considera-
6 www.mcmnews.com MCM Bulletin_Issue 19_2nd half 2019 internal communications survey 2019
From the 27th November to the 20th December 2019, MCM employees were asked to complete a brief survey regarding the work place environment and the internal communications. The survey was administered in Arabic, English and French. A total of 281 employees completed the survey; this represents 26.5% of the targeted workforce.
workplace environment
How happy are you at work? Happy 69.7% Somewhat 19.2% Unhappy 9.6%
How would you rate your relationship with your supervisor? High 72.9% Average 18.1% Low 8.1%
How much do you feel valued at work? Well 64.4% Somewhat 22.7% Not 8.5%
How do you feel like you can share your honest thoughts with your supervisor? Comfortable 65.8% Somewhat 22.7% Uncomfort 9.6%
How good is your department at recognizing your contributions at work? Very good 58% Good 24.5% Poor 11.3%
How likely would you leave MCM if another company offered you a job? Stay 28.4% Don’t know 31.3% Leave 38.7%
How well do you feel you know the company’s procedures and policies? Well 44.12% Somewhat 35.5% Not 18.1%
How likely are you to recommend MCM as a good place to work? Well 58.3% Somewhat 24.9% Not 14.5%
Do you attend safety meetings regularly? Yes 82.9% Don’t know 4.6% No 11%
If you were given the chance, would you re-apply to join MCM? Yes 71.5% Don’t know 16.3% No 9.9%
Do you foresee yourself working here until the mine closure? Yes 76.5% Don’t know 14.9% No 7.4%
Are you proud to work for MCM? Yes 79% Don’t know 9.2% No 9.6%
Do you feel like you have the opportunity to improve your skills? Yes 80.4% Don’t know 6% No 11.7%
Do you have fun at work? Yes 76.5% Don’t know 11% No 9.9%
Are you planning to stay in Akjoujt after the mine closure? Yes 48.7% Don’t know 20.6% No 28.4%
Are you aware of the company’s production targets? Yes 56.5% Don’t know 14.2% No 26.3%
Do you feel like your supervisor cares about your feedback? Yes 62.9% Don’t know 14.5% No 19.9%
information sources MCM Bulletin 26.7% Supervisor 20.9% Weekly Communication Announcement 18.9% Colleagues 10.4% TV Monitors 9.8% Head of Department 5.2% Other 3.2% MCM Website 1.9% Employee Information Session 1.3% Social Media 1.1%
7 www.mcmnews.com MCM Bulletin_Issue 19_2nd half 2019 4000 YEARS AGO, THE FIRST MINERS AND METALLURGISTS IN THE REGION OF AKJOUJT. The results of the Franco-Mauritanian project CUPRUM supported by MCM
The Franco-Mauritanian project CUPRUM, initiated in 2016, aims to understand the origin and development of metallurgy in Mauritania during the recent Holocene. This issue is also a training program for students.
Based on the archaeological work This partnership has also revealed nearly about the use of this iron raw material. carried out almost 50 years ago, the first 270 new archaeological sites. Confirm- The second phase of the project will phase of the project (2016-2019) ing the historical richness of Inchiri focus on answering these questions. focused on estimating the importance heritage, these discoveries also allow us and the place of metallurgy in Akjoujt today to better understand the develop- A copper placer mining? district, in the Mauritania’s Inchiri ment of mining and metallurgical region. Research has revealed an intense activities, 4000 years ago! The discovery in the metallurgical sites exploitation of metalliferous resources A summary of these archaeological of ore fragments with fluvial erosion and a human occupation strongly linked discoveries is included here. suggests another origin for this raw to copper metallurgy. The sites seem to material. These minerals could come be distributed according to the necessi- Extraction sites and related activities from detrital deposits that form in rivers. ties of access to raw materials and Underground mines This hypothesis suggests a possible natural resources and according to the exploitation of these copper placers. The operating chain of copper metallurgy. At the level of the rock massifs of the higher concentration of metalliferous With the support of First Quantum region, our research identified 7 ancient elements and greater ease of exploitation Minerals Ltd and its subsidiary MCM, mining districts, each includes between of detrital deposits compared with ore the results at the end of these four years 5 and 16 mines. A total of 55 mines were from the mines and the face, make were impressive. discovered in all the massifs. The copper placers an important resource for deposits (malachite, chrysocolla) are metallurgy in prehistory. We still do not Five Mauritanian students were trained probably exploited by cutting edges or know if the possible exploitation of in archeology. One of them obtained in underground mines. The exploitation placers is anterior or concomitant with 2018 a scholarship provided by the techniques correspond to that of the fire the mines and the face. All of these European and Foreign Affairs Ministry setting and / or the lithic mallet. Radio- hypotheses relating to detrital deposits of France to carry out a training course carbon dating is in progress. At the level constitute a line of research for the in archeology in France. Two of them of Guelb Moghrein Oriental, the second phase of the project. are expected to obtain positions in discovery of a front face exploiting education and archaeological research. hematite and goethite raises questions 8 www.mcmnews.com MCM Bulletin_Issue 19_2nd half 2019
A complex organization: activities ly transform this raw material into metal. evidence of copper metallurgy appeared related to mining We have also identified variations in around the middle of the second millen- forced ventilation techniques for nium. Our excavations of the site of Our field research has identified human metallurgical furnaces. Our work has El-Jemel-Lebyad demonstrated it. In the activities near the mines, some related to also highlighted links between access to current stage of knowledge, copper the extraction of minerals. Quarries and resources (water, wood) and the location metallurgy seems to continue during the crushing / grinding workshops have of metallurgical sites. We base the second half of the 2nd millennium and been discovered. hypothesis of connections between the until the end of the 1st millennium. After - Quarries and mining practice of metallurgical activities and a hiatus, the region is reoccupied from Quarries located near the mines seem to livelihood activities, presumably related the 3rd century AD until the 7th century. exploit the hard rock veins and probably to nomadism. The small amount of Our work at the 1E mine in the Atomaye provide mines with macro-lithic tools remains and the small size of some sites Massif and at the Lemdena level for the exploitation of copper deposits. suggest a short duration of occupation confirms this second phase of occupa- In general, all the lithic resources at the and feeds the assumption of seasonal tion. level of the massifs seem to be exploit- sites. ed, they must be activities related to With the support of First Quantum mining. Flint mines and quartz pruning Minerals Ltd and MCM, this project fronts are thus common in these beds. helped to better understand the archaeo- They are exploited for the production of logical and historical values of Inchiri. micro lithic (arrowheads, scrapers). This region of Mauritania appears today - Crushing / grinding workshops as one of the keys to understand the Concentrations of crushing / grinding origin and development of metallurgy in macro tools have been discovered near the Saharo-Sahelian area. the ore extraction sites at several rock massifs. These seem to be sites of short duration of occupation. Several types of lithic macro-tools characterize these crushing / grinding Excavation of prehistoric metallurgical site workshops. The raw materials of these Moukhayam El Bouhayra (Amatlich) macro-tools are local rocks known in the region of Akjoujt. These workshops are The distribution of all the sites seems to intended for the crushing / grinding of suggest a human occupation strongly ore mineralized raw materials. This is linked to copper metallurgy. They seem the first separation between the ore and to be distributed according to the the barren mineral gangue. necessities of access to raw materials and natural resources and according to Excavation of a prehistoric metallurgical the operating chain of copper metallur- furnace (Draa Oummat el Bidh) gy. The distribution of the sites and the topography of the region seem to have determined the axes of circulation. In the current stage of research, we can see ways to understand the human occupation and organization of the region. But the matters of the occupation duration and the organization of the activities at the site scale and the region are obstacles that must be removed Excavation of prehistoric mine El Bwama before proposing any hypothesis. (Guelb Moghrein oriental) Sketch of a timeline Metallurgical sites Field research has provided some Of the 200 sites discovered, 90 have elements of dating. Two great periods of metallurgical activity indices. occupation are emerging: Neolithic and At metallurgical sites, our research Medieval. The occupation of the Akjoujt allows us propose an operational chain region dates back to the end of the 4th for copper metallurgy in connection with millennium BC, or even before (Paleo- exploitation of ores. We suppose a lithic?), but little research has been done succession of technical steps to gradual- for these remote periods. The earliest 9 www.mcmnews.com MCM Bulletin_Issue 19_2nd half 2019
Djibi stands beside a heavy equipment engine Mobile Equipment Workshop
Our employees are at the With 42 years of mechanical experience, he’s consistently seen change throughout his career – MCM was just the most recent. Through those years he’s seen many technology and heart of our operations procedural improvements, but “one constant has been the commitment of the people here. There is a true sense of empowerment when we’re involved in making things Djibi’s story happen”.
“I am very happy to have the opportunity to share my long One seasoned employee contributing to mining fleet mainte- experience with the new generation” nance is Djibi Dia. Djibi joined MCM as a mechanic in the heavy mobile equipment workshop, a key area for mining production. He has always been at the heart of major compo- nent repairs and replacement.
Bahah is pictured in the crusher area
Bahah’s story
Another employee contributing to the success of our operations here at Guelb Moghrein is Bahah Moktar. He joined the process plant department 10 years ago as a crusher and conveyor belt operator. His role is crucial for the whole production process, he keeps an open eye on the crushed material to ensure it’s free of hazards.
“I am very proud to be part of the process plant team” he readily admits. “We are brothers, each one of us looks after the other’s safety”.
Although many challenges and difficulties that occurred during the last year, the team run the process plant successfully.
10 www.mcmnews.com MCM Bulletin_Issue 19_2nd half 2019 HowHow CopperCopper isis Concentrated?Concentrated?
Copper concentration starts with crushing ore from the mine particles until they can be removed from the cell. At the top of follows by grinding (milling) finely the crushed ore in order to the tank, the froth overflows in a launder and a concentrate liberate the copper mineral (chalcopyrite) contained. To tank. The particles that don’t float (tailings) will stay at the achieve targeted grind size, it requires a lot of expensive bottom of the cell and will flow into the next vessel. So now, energy, and even more if the ore is harder. After the milling we have got two products from the ore: Concentrate which circuit, the particles will be sufficiently fine so that a majority contains the chalcopyrite hence the copper and tailings that of grain contain solely chalcopyrite or solely gangue (non-val- contain the gangue. And this is how the copper is concentrated! uable minerals). The final concentrate contains 22.5% of copper and 10 grams It is important to know that most minerals in the world per ton of gold. After dewatering, it is bagged and shipped. We contain either Sulphur (sulfide mineral) or Oxygen (oxide produce an average of over 300 tons of concentrate per day. mineral).
Chalcopyrite contains Sulphur. Most of the gangue of Guelb Moghrein ore contains Oxygen. So we are going to use the difference in the surface properties of sulfide and oxide minerals to separate the Chalcopyrite from the gangue. One of those properties is the affinity of those elements for water and air. Oxide minerals have a high affinity with water while sulfide minerals (like chalcopyrite) have a high affinity for air FLOTTATION CELL and very low for water. A good example to illustrate the affinity or not of a component to water is grease, If you have got a grease stain on your hands and want to clean it with only Mineral attached Air water, it is very difficult if not impossible, because grease has a to air bubbles very low affinity for water.
In a tank of water, if we place the finely grind ore containing chalcopyrite and inject some bubbles of air, the chalcopyrite will tend to stick to the air bubbles and not to the water! To help this process, we add chemicals to the tank (flotation cell) Mineralised froth and this is called flotation! In practice, the flotation cell is equipped with an agitator to keep the solids in suspension, to disperse air as discrete bubbles and to pump the slurry into the Cell next vessel. Air bubbles In the flotation cell, air is injected at the bottom creating a rising current of air bubbles in the pulp. Chalcopyrite particles will stick to the air bubbles and rise to the pulp surface where Tailings the bubbles create a froth bed. To get the desired mineral to stick to air bubbles, collectors such as xanthates are added to Agitator the pulp. Another reagent called Frother is added to the pulp to produce a froth phase stable enough to hold the floated
11 www.mcmnews.com MCM Bulletin_Issue 19_2nd half 2019
Visible Felt Leadership (VFL) is recognized as an Visible Felt Leadership (VFL) describes a natural, effective technique for engaging a workforce and social process that managers and supervisors should encouraging positive change in both behavior and carry out as a normal part of their jobs. While VFL is attitude. It has found popularity and relevance as a one of the most important contributors to sustained and useful tool for promoting more effective interaction improved safety performance, it goes beyond safety and between people within mining. touches on other general elements of leadership, such as caring, communicating, connecting and coaching. In Having leaders engage firsthand with employees from short, VFL is a characteristic of good management. VFL all parts of an organization gives them an opportunity to is not a process that comes naturally to most people. It hear and feel organizational dynamics while also has to be learnt and practiced. making a personal impact on their teams. At the same time, it reinforces the genuine concern they feel for Importantly, it has to be part of a system that ensures employees’ wellbeing and safety. that managers put the interaction to constructive use. When implemented properly, the result of VFL is a Part of implementing VFL relates to how leaders and broad process that can influence natural, genuine employees interact in the workplace. Typically this behaviors, which support a culture of safety and interaction involves a one-on-one conversation that business improvement that is embedded in every aspect focuses on recognizing people for doing the right thing, of our work. and then helps them to do it all the time. This interac- tion provides a way to improve safety from a position of Safety is not something that you read, hear or see, it’s care and respect, while obtaining valuable information something you live. VFL provides you with the tools to from the people who know it best. make this real. It focuses on positive reinforcement. Problem areas – and how to fix them – are discussed and agreed upon together, leaving the individuals with a positive, clearly understood way to do what they do, even better. VFL DEFINED: 12 www.mcmnews.com MCM Bulletin_Issue 19_2nd half 2019 Retirees 2019 Name: Mohamed Abdou Position: Operator the occasion of retirment of the below 8 employees at the Dpmt: Process Plant On end of 2019, MCM management organised a special dinner Process Department will be on their honor. It has been an opportunity for the Acting GM missing the wisdom of Mohamed Abdou who has and HoDs to express their appreciation to all of them for the great contributed significantly to the success of his team and contributions they provided over many years to the company’s production department over more than 10 years of service. and culture. Mohamed will now enjoy another lifestyle called retirement.
Name: Ahmed Salem Name: Demba Sy Name: Lekhlipha Feily Position: Mechanic Position: Operator Position: Bus Driver Dpmt: Engineering Dpmt: Mining Dpmt: ROM Demba Sy has spent most of Lekhlipha joined MCM Ahmed Salem has served at his career at MCM sitting in since the first day as a light MCM site over 13 years as the cabs of all heavy vehicle driver and bus a mechanic in engineering equipment as a professional driver most recently. department. He shared his operator. His irreplaceable Lekhlipha will stay an rich experience and built experience in mining equipment will be missed by example of the bus driver who drops employees to wide relationships with colleagues and friends. his team and colleagues. Sy will have more time to their workshops on time. He will take many good The team will always remember his significant rest after few decades of service in different memories of Guelb Moghrein mine. contribution during difficult times companies.
Name: Ba Amadou Name: El Mami Bambari Name: Seyed Louleid Position: Operator Position: Artisan Position: Foreman Dpmt: Process Dpmt: Engineering Dpmt: Process Plant
Ba has retired after 13 years Seyed Louleid joined MCM El Mami has finally retired of service to the company. at the beginning of the after more than 10 years of He joined MCM in 2006 as operations at Process Plant, service to the company. His an operator at the process he was present when the role as a mechanic was plant. Over 13 years, first copper concentrate was crucial to the success of his Amadou continued to inspire all those he touched produced. The team at the plant will miss the team. His kindness and perseverance within the with his kindness, his determination and his experience and the competences of Seyed who will team were unique. energy. He has very fond memories of those years. enjoy his new lifestyle.
Name: Sy Aly M’bareck Position: Foreman Dpmt: Mobile Workshop
Sy Aly was a key employee within the mining fleet maintenance crew. His dedication and skills were irreplaceable and will be missed at the workshop.
13 www.mcmnews.com MCM Bulletin_Issue 19_2nd half 2019
WUHAN OR NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
First Quantum has been following modes are considered: the COVID-19 outbreak that started • From human to human via respiratory in China in late December 2019. The droplets produced when an infected What do travelers need to do? outbreak has now become a signifi- person coughs or sneezes, similar to how cant public health risk, with the influenza and the common cold is • Postpone all unnecessary travel. spread. Transmission commonly occurs • Stay informed of outbreak response in World Health Organization declaring by touching something an infected countries you may be travelling to or on March 11th the rapidly spreading person has touched (a door handle or through as new cases or outbreaks may coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. from a handshake) with the virus lead to restrictions in movement or to This update is intended to provide transferred via your mouth, nose or eyes. cancellation of flights. information on the current status of • There is no current evidence that the • Do not travel if you are ill with fever the outbreak, what travelers and virus can be transmitted by air (for or flu like symptoms. Many countries individuals need to consider in terms example transfer across a room or in an have adopted screening practices & you of protecting their health. aircraft). may be quarantined or tested. • Through contact with sick animals, • Maintain your personal hygiene as per What is COVID-19? animals in markets or products (such as below uncooked meat) that come from unregu- • Avoid close contact with people that COVID-19 is a novel (newly described) lated markets. are obviously ill. coronavirus with the first cases in • Monitor your health for 14 days after humans reported in late December 2019. What are the symptoms of COV- you travel and if you develop flu like Coronaviruses are a large family of ID-19? symptoms seek medical care and be sure viruses, some causing illness in people to advise that you have travelled. and others circulate among animals. The symptoms are typical of mild Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve respiratory disease similar to influenza: What can be done to reduce risk? and infect people, with further mutation • Fever. allowing for spread from human to • Cough, runny nose, sore throat and • Frequently clean your hands with an human. headache. alcohol rub or soap/water. • Difficulty in breathing/ shortness of • Avoid touching your face. The original cases appeared to originate breath • Avoid close contact with people that in a wet food market in the large • In some cases, severe disease has are obviously ill with a fever/cough. Chinese city of Wuhan. The outbreak developed, including bronchitis, • Avoid activities with potential expo- was isolated to this city and Hubei pneumonia and even death. sure to large groups of people. province, but has now spread to more • If you have a fever/ cough or difficulty than 180 countries globally. This global Who is at risk for infection? in breathing seek medical care and stay spread and the potential risk that the away from work until cleared to return disease can spread in countries with Everyone is at risk for infection with the by a health worker. weak health systems has prompted the virus. However, very young, elderly and World Health Organization to declare a people with underlying health problems What are MCM doing as a company? Public Health Emergency of Internation- or compromised immune systems seem al Concern. This declaration has to be more vulnerable to complications. As per the outbreak disease prepared- prompted FQM to update its disease Around 15% of cases have developed ness & response plan, the company is outbreak management process to an alert severe disease but had underlying health adopting the following approach: level, to ensure the wellbeing of employ- issues or other vulnerabilities. • Communicating with public health ees and to limit any potential operational authorities. impact. Can it be avoided and is there a cure? • Conducting local risk assessments and appropriate preparedness planning How is COVID-19 transmitted? There is currently no vaccine available • Raising awareness on the disease and to totally avoid the disease. There is prevention activities. While the exact mode of transmission currently no specific cure, but a lot of and ease that infection may spread is research is on-going to determine the still being investigated, the following best treatment regimes.
14 www.mcmnews.com MCM Bulletin_Issue 19_2nd half 2019
Workers voice Moulay Soueidatt
3. You were among the first local staff 8. Anything you want to share with your who benefited from localization plan, how colleagues? did it happen? I would recommend to my colleagues to As a consequence of lot of diligence, take ownership and be accountable perseverance, determination and training, especially during this critical period of the we have been able, as a group, to take full mine life. We are heading to the mine responsibility of operating efficiently the closure but by working together we hope process plant. We have gained experience to extend its life. from our filed work which is necessary to make a difference.
4. How important is safety to your workplace? Safety and health are very important in the Process Plant Control Room Supervisor workplace as human life is priceless. There is a lot of hazards in mining 1. What inspired you to work in the industries, and therefore we take all the mining industry and for MCM in particu- necessary precautions for the safety of lar? everyone. When I completed my studies in mid-2006, I was looking for job opportu- 5. What does MCM mean to you? nity and I joined MCM through a recruit- For me, MCM means a classroom to learn ment exam as process plant employee. I new things, a workshop to improve skills We are commi�ed to constantly improving was completely convinced that there will and a source of monthly income. the way we communicate with our be a bright future on my path. stakeholders and employees. As part of this 6. You’ve been in Akjoujt for a while, how process, we would like to learn your opinion 2. You were here when the company the city has developed? of MCM Bulle�n. started, what were the main challenges? The town of Akjoujt has witnessed a huge In par�cular, we would like to be�er As usual, there are always challenges at development since the start of mining understand how you read MCM Bulle�n and the beginning of any project. I began my activities. Many construction projects took how useful you find its content. career as an employee at the crusher place over the last few years and the local working with a group of young local economy has grown substantially. We would, therefore, be extremely grateful people and expatriates engineers, few if you would spare five minutes to write months later and due to the intensive 7. What changes has working with MCM your opinion and put it in the communica- training sessions I attended I became the brought to your working and social life? �on box at the main gate. senior operator at the crusher. I continued Many changes had occurred during my to attend more trainings on the whole career at MCM, I have acquired lots of We do hope you can find the �me to process plant and moved to gold plant in competences and experience. I have built par�cipate in this research as your input is 2009. In 2010, I moved to work in the an immense number of friendships and valuable to us in helping to shape a process plant control room where I still fellowships in addition to learning publica�on a�uned to its readership. working until today. patience and perseverance.
15 www.mcmnews.com The objective is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once.
Last issue’s solution
Intermediate Tough Intermediate Tough
8 1 9 5 2 4 1 7 4 5 1 8 7 3 9 2 6 8 3 1 2 4 5 6 7 9 3 9 8 1 1 4 6 9 2 6 4 5 1 8 7 3 5 2 4 6 9 7 1 3 8 7 3 4 2 8 8 7 3 9 2 6 4 5 1 6 7 9 1 3 8 2 5 4 2 3 3 8 6 5 1 4 5 3 6 8 7 9 2 7 4 8 3 5 6 9 1 2 5 8 9 4 7 8 9 1 4 2 3 6 5 3 1 5 9 8 2 4 6 7 9 1 6 7 3 8 3 6 2 5 9 7 1 4 8 2 9 6 7 1 4 3 8 5 4 7 8 9 7 2 1 4 7 3 5 6 8 9 1 8 3 4 7 9 5 2 6 1 2 4 5 3 2 4 5 9 8 6 1 4 2 3 7 4 5 2 8 6 1 7 9 3 9 3 2 8 1 4 5 3 6 3 7 2 8 9 5 1 4 9 6 7 5 2 3 8 4 1
www.mcmnews.com