OMEGA

ANGOLA

Lulo Diamond Project

The Lulo Diamond Project in Angola is one of the largest diamond mines in the world, with an estimated reserve of over 100 million carats of diamonds. However, the area where the mine is located has been plagued by conflict and instability, making security measures essential for the safety of workers and the protection of the diamond reserves.

To ensure the safety of workers and protect the diamond reserves, the Lulo Diamond Project has implemented a range of security measures and contracted Omega as its preferred security services provider.

Omega have been providing security services to Projecto Lulo since 1 July 2017. The focus of the service is base camp protection, drill site and equipment protection, product escort services as well as continuous patrolling of the area to clear the concession of illegal diamond miners. Strict access controls are applied, extensive surveillance systems are in place, and guards patrol the mine and surrounding areas. The security personnel are trained to respond to potential threats and have the authority to use force if necessary to protect the mine and its workers.

One of the most important security measures implemented by the Lulo Diamond Project is the use of technology to monitor the mine and surrounding areas. This includes CCTV cameras, motion sensors, and drones, which are used to detect and track any suspicious activity. The mine also has a command centre that is staffed 24/7 to monitor the surveillance systems and respond to any potential threats.

The Endiama De Beers joint venture places a high priority on the safety and security of its personnel and assets. The company regularly reviews and updates its security procedures to ensure they remain effective and efficient. In addition, the joint venture is committed to working closely with local communities and stakeholders to promote safety and security in the surrounding areas.

MOZAMBIQUE

Rio Tinto Coal Mining

The Riversdale Mine in Mozambique is a coal mining operation located in the province of Tete, in the north-western region of the country. The mine is owned and operated by Rio Tinto, one of the largest mining companies in the world. The Riversdale Mine has been in operation since 2011 and is one of the largest coal mines in the country, producing both coking and thermal coal. Despite its strategic importance to the local economy, the Riversdale Mine has faced significant security challenges over the years. The region where the mine is located has been plagued by armed conflict, banditry, and terrorism. The security situation in the area has been volatile, with frequent attacks on mining companies, infrastructure, and workers.

Arkhê officially started rendering security services to Rio Tinto on 01 June 2013 with 260 men in Tete. The hard work of the Arkhê staff in Tete, the professional way in which we conducted our contracted services in the Tete province and the support and leadership from the Arkhê HQ in Maputo ensured huge successes for Arkhê. Clive Clulow joined Arkhê as the Contract Manager and grew the company in Tete by adding sub-contractors of Rio Tinto to our list of contracts with close to 400 security officers during the peak of the Rio Tinto operations. Arkhê rendered services at the Riversdale Mine until 4 January 2012.

Arkhê provided security to the MRM in the Cabo Delgado province from June 2012 until 2021. The mine covers a surface area of approximately 33,600 hectares. The Arkhê guard force deployed to MRM at that time was approximately 465 men strong including management, supervision, security officers as well as the more specialized K-9 and armed security officer units and teams.

Arkhê’s primary responsibility was to provide security services to safeguard the main mining pits, stockyards and other installations. The Arkhê guard force was employed in both the industrial and area protection role, something not normally done by contracted security but rather entrusted to internal security apparatus on mines. As a value-added measure to ensure client retention Arkhê regularly conducted area operations where all available manpower and force multipliers were utilized to ensure optimum application and utilization of manpower, material and dogs to the advantage of the client.

namibia

Omega was awarded the security contract in August 2014 and rendered services until August 2017. One of Omega’s primary security measures at the HUSAB Mine was the use of access controls. All employees, contractors, and visitors must undergo a rigorous screening process before entering the site. This includes identity verification, background checks, and vehicle inspections. The mine also has a sophisticated security camera system that monitors all activities on the site.

The security arrangements at the HUSAB Mine are among the most stringent in the mining industry. Omega is extremely proud to have been associated with HUSAB.

south africa

Omega started with the security contract, (guarding) on 01 February 2005, (then Xstrata plc) and we are still rendering this service after 18 successful years. Although the “Glencore Coal’s security strategy” remains to divide the security operations between different companies, (Omega is responsible for guarding, access control & vehicle/foot patrols) another company is responsible for reaction and response and another company responsible for the control room, we still believe our key to success can be listed below as follows:

• Understanding Glencore’s processes, threats, and risks,
• We are treated as part of the “Glencore’s security team” and not contractors providing a service,
• Although three, (3) different security companies are deployed at Glencore, we all work together in combating crime as one department, resulting in a safe and secure working environment for all employees.

Omega did a complete Business Process Reengineering of the De Beers operations in Botswana, De Beers Finsch Mine, De Beers Voorspoed Mine, De Beers Venetia Mine and De Beers Kimberley Mines which included a variety of aspects, for example:

• Day to day security management of the mines, carrying out of comprehensive security surveys, formulation & implementation of a combination of several security measures to mitigate risks and to contain crime, identification of threats and criminal forces.
• Continually assessed security and production operational practices at all areas for inefficiencies/ possible improvement opportunities and made recommendations to enhance value delivery. We also reviewed all human interventions into high concentrate diamond processes due to spillages, chokes, etc. and minimise the requirements for people to operate in high-risk areas.
• Educated all personnel assigned to high-risk areas on the procedures and how issues of coercion and collusion can impact upon them and what to do if approached or threatened.
• We also developed and maintained internal and external networks and contacts local communities for information gathering to ensure an effective investigation process and optimal asset protection.
• Investigated general crime offences in accordance with policies and procedures with a view to securing convictions and establishes suspect profiles.
• Introduced and maintained intelligence systems to act pro-actively.

The original project period was for only three, (3) months, but due to Omega’s successes, this project was extended until end 2014.

Although the project ended 2014, Omega was awarded an additional security contract at De Beers Voorspoed mine to provide Security High Risk Leads, Security Process Experts & Security Surveillance Staff until after closure of the mine and the contract ended on 31 January 2020.

EVRAZ Vametco Alloys

Vametco is an integrated mining and processing plant. Vametco operates an open pit mine which supplies ore to a vanadium processing plant located on the same property. Vametco’s open pit mine is approximately 3.5 kilometers long. Omega started providing an integrated security solution to Vametco Alloys on 01 June 2006 responsible for all security related function on site, including the deployment of a Tactical Response Team. The contract ended mid-2011.

SASOL Secunda

Through proprietary technologies and processes the main products Sasol produce are fuel components, chemical components, and co-products.

On 01 July 2009 Omega started a five-year contract to provide advance integrated security services to Sasol Coal Mining Operations in Secunda.

Over this period an average of 500 security staff was employed. This escalated to 700 during shutdown periods.

mining supply chain

ClinicPlus Witbank

Omega commenced rendering services to ClinicPlus on 1 December 2019.

ClinicPlus in Witbank offers a variety of medical services such as general consultations, minor procedures, vaccinations, and chronic disease management.

ClinicPlus provides medical screening services and issue Certificate of Fitness, (COF) to mine employees and contractors working in the mining industry.

zambia

Kalumbila Mine

Kalumbila Mine is a copper and cobalt mine located in the North-Western Province of Zambia. The mine is owned and operated by First Quantum Minerals, a Canadian mining company that has been operating in Zambia since 1996. Kalumbila Mine was commissioned in 2015 and has an annual production capacity of 270,000 tonnes of copper concentrate and 14,000 tonnes of cobalt concentrate. The mine is an open-pit operation and employs over 3,000 people, including contractors.

Omega started rendering security services at the Kalumbila mine contract on 1 September 2012. In May 2017 the operational contract with Kalumbila Minerals was signed. Omega’s involvement in the operation consists of managing the Kalumbila Mine reception at the main gate, access control to various entry points to the mine as well as CCTV operators and physical patrolling the mine premises.

The contract is ongoing, and Omega is exceptionally proud of our association with Kalumbila Mine.

other

Tanzania

The tender for the Resolute Diamond Mine was awarded to Omega on 1 October 2010. The mine was closed down in about 2014.