| Asset theft and illegal mining continue to threaten security personnel and employees at mines |
Speaking during the Great Rift Valley Mining Summit held recently in Dar es Salaam, Warrior Security Ltd, CEO Major Tony Sugden, declared the need for mines to have proper security systems with credible, capable staff, who can protect not only mines but also the personnel working on site.
“Mines and their subcontractors are often the only truly meaningful commercial entity in their areas of operation,” said Maj. Sugden. “This makes them stand out like shining beacons, with people good and bad attracted by a mine, often with tragic consequences.”
Asset theft and illegal mining continue to threaten security personnel and employees at mines causing financial losses and posing a significant threat to the health and safety of employees, according to reports by the South Africa Chamber of Mines.
“Mines pay well, but there still seems to be plenty who are not motivated by the wage alone, but by what else they can get on the side; they become the internal threat competing with the external element determined to get in and take what they can,” said Maj. Sugden.
Aside from instilling integrity as part of company culture, Warrior Security Ltd management team keep their eye on the basics such as employing and training suitable security personnel, then adding the technology to support this human element. By combining the two elements, more success is achieved in eliminating employee and criminal collusion.
“By creating integrity within our communities we are effectively displacing the threat away from the mine,” said Maj Sugden.
Warrior Security Ltd. provides integrated risk solutions tailored to suit clients' risk profiles and budget. It is currently the largest security company in oil rich South Sudan, with over 1000 guards in 12 areas, And specialises in post conflict areas as well as the oil and mineral rich regions of South Sudan, Congo, Zambia, Tanzania having protected UN organisations, embassies, NGOs, corporate businesses and individuals.
Maj. Sugden is currently attending the Great Rift Valley Mining Summit at Kunduchi Beach Hotel, Dar es Salaam Tanzania. The two-day event is hosting over 30 mining companies from across Africa, as well as the Tanzania Minerals Audit Agency CEO, Paul Masanja, Uganda Investment Authority Executive Director Frank Sebbowa, and representatives from Ministries of Mines from Kenya, Ethiopia, Congo, Malawi and Mozambique.