G4S, a global integrated security company, recently announced that it will be ableto build, run, manage, and maintain accommodation villages for employees working in remote sites, supporting its energy, mining and construction customers throughout Africa.
The U.K.-based company said its new Remote Site Facilities Services (RSFS) will be supported by a team of experts who will design and build camps, and provide a wide range of facilities management services including catering, cleaning, maintenance, medical services, recreational activities and waste management.
The intention, according to the company, is to create a “home-away-from-home” for people working in isolated, high-risk locations, who often spend long periods of time away from their own homes. As part of the new service line, G4S said it will be able to develop camps ranging in size from small 10-person seismic or drilling exploration camps, to large construction projects of 15,000 staff or more.
Andy Baker, regional president, G4S Africa, said, “There is no doubt that with the increased global demand for metal, minerals, energy, and Africa’s infrastructural growth that the need for remote sites and their associated services will increase. In the face of considerable pressure from shareholders to increase productivity, reliability and cash flow, mining and oil and gas companies, in particular, are looking to focus on their core operations and the outsourcing of all non-core functions.”
Andy Baker, regional president, G4S Africa, said, “There is no doubt that with the increased global demand for metal, minerals, energy, and Africa’s infrastructural growth that the need for remote sites and their associated services will increase. In the face of considerable pressure from shareholders to increase productivity, reliability and cash flow, mining and oil and gas companies, in particular, are looking to focus on their core operations and the outsourcing of all non-core functions.”
Andrew Hames, director–energy mining and construction, G4S Africa, added, “G4S in Africa has a well-established infrastructure operating in 26 countries with more than 120,000 employees. With the introduction of RSFS coupled with our efficient structures and logistical support, we are able to add to our array of services in Africa by offering our customers a fully integrated remote site solution.”
In mid-2013, G4S launched what it described as the world’s first global mining-specific security training program that provides training covering a diverse range of specific operational mining industry issues, including conflict management, CCTV control room operations, and management and response team operations.
G4S said it employs 18,000 specialist mining security personnel across the globe and the intention was to have all staff undertake specialist training in the next few years.
To adequately serve its broad global customer base, G4S said it developed a flexible program that can be tailored to the specific needs of G4S clients, with training group sizes of 12 or less. Personnel with sector-specific training will help ensure best practice and service standards across G4S’ offering of more than 100 integrated secure solutions.
G4S said the program would help G4S to strengthen relationships with its mining customers by combining highly trained personnel with innovative technology to drive down costs and operational complexity and optimize security standards.
