Stainless Steel Materials
- Cerro Matoso
Cerro Matoso nickel mining and smelting
operation in Colombia
The Stainless Steel Materials CSG primarily services the stainless steel industry through a wide range of high quality nickel products. In addition, the group is a major marketer of ferrochrome and supplies nickel and cobalt to other markets including the specialty alloy, foundry, chemicals and refractory materials industries.
Stainless Steel Materials nickel operations include the Cerro Matoso ferronickel mine and smelter in Colombia, Yabulu Refinery in North Queensland, and more recently, the Nickel West assets, formerly part of WMC Resources Ltd, and located in Western Australia. These assets include the Mt Keith and Leinster operations, the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter, Kambalda Concentrator and the Kwinana Nickel Refinery.
HSEC Overview 2005
Key aspects of the HSEC performance of Stainless Steel Materials for the reporting period 2004/05:
- Our record low Classified Injury Frequency Rate, representing a 35 per cent reduction on 2003/04.
- We have implemented the use of the forward energy model diagnostic tool to assess site safety attitudes and behaviours to assist in identifying potential future safety performance on-site. As a result of using this model, site management and the workforce have the opportunity to take proactive, preventative action.
- Process Hazard Analysis has proved effective in reviewing operational procedures across a range of activities and in providing key opportunities for appropriate safety intervention.
- Safety leadership is the key driver for sustained performance.
HSEC Outlook
Looking ahead, the primary HSEC focus for Stainless Steel Materials will be to:
- Implement a comprehensive safety alignment program at the newly acquired Nickel West operational assets in Western Australia, following a recent HSEC diagnostic review
- Maintain our continued vigilance in proper management and education of our workforce about the presence of potentially harmful compounds in many of our nickel operations. This follows the REACH regulatory initiative on chemicals in the European Union that resulted in the re-classification of some nickel compounds as Category 1 carcinogens, Category two mutagens and reproductive toxicants
- Implement DuPont safety programs at all sites to increase the effectiveness of our coaching processes for frontline supervisors and workers, by focusing on developing appropriate behaviour in order to drive safety improvements through the operations.
