Boart Longyear says it has received certification of compliance to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) initiatives established by the South African Department of Trade and Industry.

The official B-BBEE verification certificate was presented to local Boart Longyear management on June 27 by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS), with independent auditing and full verification completed by Moore Stephens, Boart says. This means Boart Longyear, under the legal entity Longyear South Africa Pty Ltd, has achieved a B-BBEE Level 4 contributor status through June 26, 2020.

Based on the B-BBEE contribution levels used to score companies on specific empowerment criteria, Boart Longyear’s Level 4 status was achieved through its ratings on ownership, management, skills development, enterprise, supplier and socio-economic development, according to the company.

Jeff Olsen, President and CEO of Boart Longyear, said: “We are proud of our South African employees and their earnest efforts to gain this important recognition. We believe in the development of our people and the community. We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities and increasing the diversity of our workforce.”

B-BBEE certification establishes codes of fair practice in South Africa and provides an added value to accredited companies in building relationships with the community, suppliers, and customers, according to the company.

Andre Van Heerden, South African General Sales Manager, said: “The B-BBEE certification is about recognising where we are now and our continued commitment to transforming our organisation to grow our team and benefit our employees and the communities in which we operate.”

As well as incorporating B-BBEE initiatives, Boart is involved in employee training programs, supplier development programs to bring previously disadvantaged people into the workplace, and supports the local Bethany House Trust, a charity for the children and youth of South Africa, the company said.