NEW ASPASA director, Letisha van den Berg, was appointed to lead the surface mining association from January and brings a positive dynamic to the well-established and respected organisation.
“I plan to build from the strong base that was laid before me. We will assess where we stand in terms of our members and how we can add more value and broaden our appeal to the surface mining market including smaller role players.
“Having started my career on a small mine, I understand the challenges and how difficult it is to reach compliance with limited resources and being measured with the same legislation and processes. We need to find the small non-ASPASA members and get them onboard. Cost is also a factor for these mines and we will relook at the levy model so that we can make it affordable at all levels.
“Lobbying on behalf of the industry and ensuring we always compete on a level playing field still remains a priority. We will intensify our efforts in dealing with issues like illegal mining, technicalities regarding the payment of Royalties and other issues. Importantly, we want to ensure that legislation is written specifically for our mines rather than the current one size fits all approach as this has a direct impact on members’ abilities to comply.
Teamwork
“To do this ASPASA will work closely with state, tripartite structures nationally and regionally to make our voice heard. I also plan to work more closely with related industry bodies such as the Institute of Quarrying, Minerals Council, construction industry bodies and others.
“Once we have reviewed our services and communications we will also look at regions including the tripartite forum of the Mine Health and Safety Council. There will be more collaboration with members including roadshows and visits – I like getting my boots dirty.,” Van den Berg says.
“Developing SMMEs and bringing up-and-coming youngsters will also be a focus. Plans are already being developed to package compliance and quality documents that will assist SMMEs to meet requirements. Simultaneously, the development of the next generation of surface miners is being planned with learnerships already being investigated and planned for the near future.”
Challenging times
She continues that there are many challenges that still need to be met and many opportunities that need to be covered and made available to ASPASA members. The safety of women in mining, one size fits all mines legislation and the tough economy spring to mind, as well as opportunities that exist in working with Government and industry to unlock upcoming construction contracts.
“I am bringing in a lot of energy and want to incorporate the expertise of every generation into our organisation to share information and build knowledge for the future. With the interaction of all role-players in the association, we will grow from strength to strength.”
Destined to lead
Van den Berg recalls a conversation several years ago when she startled Collin Ramukhubathi, who had been interviewing her for a position at Afrimat, revealing that her ambition was to head up ASPASA one day. As an up-and-coming multiskilled manager, that was evidently not the answer her soon-to-be colleague and mentor had expected.
Now, having fulfilled most of her ambitions in various roles, including managerial safety roles within some of the smallest and medium mines locally, she could not turn down the opportunity to apply when her name was put forward as a possible candidate by her peers. And her successful application is penned in history.
Fighting fit
It would be hard to ignore the passion for ASPASA that exists within Van den Berg. Since her first interaction with the then newly-established association in 1998, she has attended hundreds of meetings and workshops along the way and become known for her in-depth knowledge of everything surface mining as well as for her no-nonsense approach to issues that affect the industry.
Those who have misjudged her petite stature and friendly smile when dealing with controversial topics or challenges to the sustainability of the industry have done so at their own peril. Van den Berg is a fighter when she needs to be, but is otherwise known as a keen strategist, hard worker, industrious leader and a fair and uncomplicated character.
These traits will surely be displayed in her new role and when she gets to grips with all the opportunities and threats the industry is facing and will face in years to come.
