MHSC ANNUAL REPORT 2020

MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY COUNCIL ▪ ANNUAL REPORT 2019/20

3.4 The Accounting Authority/Board

commercial considerations. In pursuing this key purpose, Council faces a uniquely demanding set of responsibilities and challenges. It also faces a range of objectives that can sometimes seem contradictory. The role of the Board is defined in the MHSC Council Charter as follows: • For the policies and performance of the MHSC, including its use of resources and the policy framework within which it operates. • Submit proposals changes to legislation and other initiatives to the Minister in respect of mine health and safety interventions, advise the Minister on health and safety at mines including: ◊ approving and submitting occupational, health and safety guidelines and codes of practice to the Minister for adoption; ◊ ensuring that a culture of health and safety in the mining industry is promoted; ◊ appointing advisory committees, groups and panels whose Members are appointed in accordance with an agreed membership and terms of reference, and in conformity with the principles set out in the Code of Ethics; and ◊ providing any services, within its mandate, facilities or information required by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. • Council is also ultimately accountable for the governance of the organisation and has two (2) main functions: ◊ firstly, it is responsible for determining the organisation’s strategic direction (and, consequently, its ultimate performance); and ◊ secondly, it is responsible for the control of the organisation. The Council requires management to execute strategic decisions effectively and according to the applicable laws and the legitimate interests and expectations of its stakeholders. • The Council’s role is to exercise leadership, integrity and informed judgement in directing the affairs of the organisation in a sustainable manner. • In managing and directing the affairs of the organisation, the Companies Act affords the Council the power to perform any functions of the organisation to the extent that the MHSA, the Companies Act, the PFMA and the MHSC’s Constitution do not provide otherwise. • The Council is responsible for exercising its powers responsibly and in the best interests of the MHSC. • In the spirit of transparent leadership, the Council hereby affirms that Council Members shall have unrestricted access to the organization’s information, records, documents, and property in order to properly perform their duties and fulfil their responsibilities. Board Charter The Council Charter was reviewed for the 2019/20 financial year during the last quarter of the previous financial year. No major amendments were made to the Charter. During the 2019/20 financial year, the ARC held ten (10) meetings of which two (2) were special meetings.

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“EVERY MINE WORKER RETURNING FROM WORK UNHARMED EVERYDAY”