The belief of the Board is that the Group’s labour force is the most important asset of the Group. Their continued health, safety and professional development is therefore of critical significance to the future of the Group and as such is aided and monitored on a regular basis. To reinforce this policy, health and safety at Pokrovskiy is supervised directly by the Deputy Chief Engineer of MC PHM for Industrial Safety, Boris Prokopenko.  Boris is responsible for the implementation of health and safety management systems, as well as for reporting on performance and compliance to Russian regulatory authorities.  He is also responsible for all staff health and safety training and regular presentations on occupational safety rules and the education/certification of staff are held at the fully equipped education centre at Pokrovskiy.

Health and safety monitoring is carried out in accordance with our health and safety management system and with the Russian regulatory requirements.  On a monthly basis the General Director undertakes a formal review of the results of ongoing health and safety inspections carried out at the mine to identify non-compliances and to agree corrective actions. 

All workers and visitors to the mine undertake a health and safety induction programme and workers are tested on an annual basis on health and safety issues, including tests specific to their particular area of work.  A safety managment system, approved by the Russian regulatory authorities has been implemented at the mine. 

 All workers are provided with personal protective equipment and undergo annual health checks and are supported by a fully staffed on-site medical centre with one fully trained medical staff worker for each 191 workers.