Imperial Logistics group company Tanker Services has been certified as the only International Cyanide Management Institute-accredited transporter in Southern Africa. This will help the company to maintain a competitive position by offering current and future clients superior service, Imperial specialised freight division CEO Lucky Maluleke tells Mining Weekly.

The International Cyanide Management Code is a voluntary industry programme for companies involved in the production of gold using cyanide and for companies producing and transporting this cyanide. The code aims to reduce the potential exposure of workers and communities to harmful concentrations of cyanide. It further intends to limit the release of cyanide into the environment and to enhance responses in the event of an exposure or release, he explains.

“Certification means that cyanide producers and gold mining companies [in Southern Africa] that are signatories to the code would only use the services of signatory transporter companies, such as Tanker Services, to transport the cyanide, as failure to do so will result in these companies losing their full compliance with the requirements of the code,” Maluleke adds.

The certification also means that Tanker Services is able to maintain international safety standards and this indicates that safety is fundamental to the way in which it delivers a world-class service to its clients.

The criteria that have to be met to qualify for certification include the transport of cyanide in a manner that reduces the potential for accidents and releases; the design, construction and operation of cyanide transshipping depots and interim storage sites to prevent releases and exposures; and the protection of communities and the environment through the development of emergency response strategies and capabilities.

Meanwhile, Tanker Services has also received Road Transport Management System (RTMS) accreditation. The RTMS is a self-regulatory body that is supported by the Council for Industrial and Scientific Research and the Department of Transport. It encourages consignees, consignors and transport operators in the road logistics value chain to implement a vehicle management system that preserves road infrastructure, improves road safety and increases the productivity of the logistics value chain.

“The system also recognises sustainable, high standards in driver behaviour and fleet maintenance,” Maluleke says.

Tanker Services is driven by the economic growth of the country and 2012 was a tough year for business generally, Maluleke notes, adding that Tanker Services has, however, enhanced the value it adds to most of its clients’ operations, especially with regard to being safe and responsible.

“We hope that this has strengthened our relationship with clients and that it continues in 2013.”

Tanker Services’ main goal for this year is to focus on shareholder, employee and customer value, Maluleke states.

“We will continue to maintain businesses that provide sustainable returns for our shareholders and employee skills improvement is fundamental in achieving this. We started excellent safety initiatives for our customers in 2012 and these efforts will continue this year. We will also focus on standardising our best practices throughout our operations to benefit all our clients,” he concludes.