Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ) on Thursday hosted a Family Open Day at its Arcadia Mine, bringing together employees, management and their families to promote workplace safety and strengthen the connection between safe working practices and family wellbeing.
Held under the theme "Return Home Safely," the event gave family members an opportunity to tour the mine, learn about its operations and gain a better understanding of the company's safety culture.
Addressing the gathering, PLZ Deputy General Manager Dong Shaobo said workplace safety extends beyond the mine and directly affects families waiting for their loved ones to return home.
"Please follow every safety rule for those who love you. Please stay away from unsafe behaviours for those who are waiting for you," he said.
Dong said every employee's safety is important because behind each worker is a family with hopes, dreams and expectations.
The event featured practical safety demonstrations led by the company's Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Emergency Response Team. Solomon Mhlanga, assisted by Haare Gonzo, demonstrated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), while Raphel Chidzvondo showcased the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Mike Rice conducted a fire extinguisher demonstration.
Family members also took part in hands-on CPR and fire extinguisher training, equipping them with basic emergency response skills that could be applied both at home and in other emergency situations.
Participants toured the mining site to gain firsthand insight into the working environment of their relatives. At the conclusion of the event, each family member received a blanket as a token of appreciation for attending.
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Deputy Mine Manager Adam Moodley urged employees to remain disciplined and vigilant, noting that many workplace accidents result from human error. He also highlighted the importance of a supportive home environment in helping workers remain focused and safe on the job.
Several family members shared their experiences during the event.
Tsitsi Mupambwa, whose daughter works at Arcadia Mine, commended the company's commitment to safety.
"My daughter has worked at Arcadia Mine for a long time, and we have never heard of any unsafe complaints. We thank PLZ for putting the safety of our loved ones first," she said.
Grace Chingwena, whose husband is employed at the mine, said the event had encouraged her to support safety efforts at home.
"Today we learned a lot, and I promise to take all the encouraging words home so that my husband will stay safe with peace of mind and without stress," she said.
Kundai Mazire, who attended in support of her brother, said touring the mine had given her a greater appreciation of the work carried out at the operation.
"I thank PLZ for allowing me to tour the mining sites, something I never dreamt of. I am inspired by your work, and I promise to support my brother to stay safe," she said.
The Family Open Day concluded with a renewed commitment from employees, management and families to uphold safe working practices, reinforcing the message that workplace safety is a shared responsibility extending beyond the mine.
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