Rössing dresses up in local colours for safety

At the Rössing Uranium mine in Namibia, Rio Tinto Procurement has demonstrated a major contribution to the local community by sourcing newly branded work and safety clothing from a Namibian supplier, 35 per cent owned by employees.

Namib Clothing is located only 70km from the mine which means that a big order for mine clothing and ongoing supply generates jobs, revenue and other economic spin offs in the local area. All the employees at Namib Clothing are local women, many coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. The business relationship with Rössing may open supply and expansion opportunities for Namib Clothing at other sites within Rio Tinto globally.

Identified

Rössing identified the need to introduce a site wide uniform which formed part of a safety tender that was sent out in February 2008. Said Prelene Brockerhoff, sourcing analyst at Rössing, "Namibian suppliers were encouraged to make use of our online sourcing engine, Quadrem.

While four Namibian suppliers were originally identified as able to help us with safety clothing, further investigation revealed that three of them would be importing their clothing from South Africa.

"It was important to identify truly local suppliers and keep the spend local to support community development and affirmative action. Through the sourcing process Namib Clothing was appointed as the supplier," Prelene said.

Through the support of Rio Tinto and other organisations the supplier has been able to increase their output for a larger market. This has had a significant effect on Namib Clothing, allowing them to purchase their current factory building as well as an additional building for future expansion.

Through the current expansion they have employed 50 additional local people and provided more job attachment training to local students.

SUBHEAD: Benefits
The positive effects from this project have been felt not only by the supplier. Rio Tinto staff at Rössing are also enjoying a number of benefits from the safety uniforms.

"Having the supplier based locally means that the safety clothing is more easily available without us needing to keep a great deal of stock on hand," said Prelene. "Plus the employees feel a great deal of pride wearing locally produced garments that are of an international comparable quality."

The uniforms are personalised with the employee's name embroidered into the shirt. In addition the uniforms bear the new Rio Tinto logo, bringing Rössing into line with other Rio Tinto sites.