Miner hosts schools

Education, Normal
Source:

The National, Monday 15th April, 2013

 NEWCREST’S Lihir Gold operations hosted seven Lihirian primary schools as part of the recent PNG National Mining Safety Week activities to raise awareness and promote safety on Lihir.

In the lead up to PNG National Mining Safety week, the Lihir Gold mine’s Emergency Response Teamand Safety Officers visited the Lihirian primary schools Sekunkun, Lakuplien, Samo, Palie, Olokawa,Kinami and Mazuz. 

The mine’s safety team addressed over a 1,000 students, conducted safety workshops and explained to students what to expect during the tour to view the open pit and the process plant.

The Newcrest and Family Values school poster competition was launched and students from five primary schools and two community schools were invited to enter. 

Communications posters and colouring pencils were distributed to all students from grades three to eight.

More than 1,200 posters were received and were judged based on the student’s portrayal of the Newcrest Mining core values linking it with family values, the Lihir mine’s safety sign “Zero 3 Tasol” and the three reasons why safety is important when travelling to and from school.

Lizah Melios a Grade 6 student of Mazuz Community School won the poster competition as her poster captured the link between family and Newcrest values. 

Melios won a bicycle and the Mazuz School was delighted to receive K2,000 worth of stationeries.

Over Mining Safety Week the primary schools were taken on a guided tour of the Lihir Gold mine. 

A highlight was the opportunity, not only to see a haul truck up close, but to climb on-board and see the truck driver’s cabin.

National Mining Safety Week is an initiative of the Chief Inspector of Mines Mohan Singh.

Inspector of Mines (TR) Andrew Onguglo officiated at many of the events including avisit to Lakuplien Primary School where he spoke to the students and viewed the students’ posters.

General-manager Lihir Gold operations Karl Spaleck, who accompanied the students on some of the mine tours, said it was a pleasure to have the students participate.

He said not only were they having fun they were learning valuable lessons on safety.