--- title: On the ground with Assmang description: Libryo interviews John Louw from Assmang Iron Ore to hear his perspective on how the mining industry has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. image: https://blog.libryo.com/hubfs/malvern.dist.sdlmedia.jpg --- [![Libryo_Green-2](https://blog.libryo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Libryo_Green-2.png?width=2000&height=519&name=Libryo_Green-2.png "Libryo_Green-2")](https://libryo.com) - [PRODUCTS](https://libryo.com/products/) - [CUSTOM LEGAL REGISTERS](https://libryo.com/legal-registers-custom/) - [PRICING](https://libryo.com/pricing/) - [PROFESSIONAL SERVICES](https://libryo.com/libryo-professional-services/) - [LIBRYO COLLABORATE](https://libryo.com/libryo-collaborate/) - [ABOUT](https://libryo.com/about-us/) - [RESOURCES](https://libryo.com/resources/) - [BLOG](https://blog.libryo.com/) - [CASE STUDIES](https://libryo.com/case-studies/) - [CONTACT](http://libryo.com/libryo/contact/) - [PARTNERS](http://libryo.com/partners/) - [REQUEST A DEMO](https://info.libryo.com/book-a-demo) - [LOG IN](https://my.libryo.com/auth/login) # **Sky high thinkers** #### Welcome to the Libryo blog ![close](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2432204/AK-UI%20Builder/close-button.svg) ### Categories - [Legal compliance (124)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/legal-compliance) - [Legaltech (124)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/legaltech) - [Regulations, laws and requirements (105)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/regulations-laws-and-requirements) - [Regtech (101)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/regtech) - [Custom legal registers (97)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/custom-legal-registers) - [Libryo news (75)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/libryo-news) - [COVID-19 regulation updates (45)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/covid-19-regulation-updates) - [Sustainability governance (43)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/sustainability-governance) - [Responsible Brands (42)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/responsible-brands) - [Law as a Service (30)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/law-as-a-service) - [EHS Software (27)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/ehs-software) - [ESG Solutions (18)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/esg-solutions) - [ISO standards (12)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/iso-standards) - [AI (2)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/ai) - [On the ground series (2)](https://blog.libryo.com/topic/on-the-ground-series) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Popular Stories [Is it EHS, SHE, HSE, HSSE, SHEQ or OHS and what’s the difference?](https://blog.libryo.com/is-it-ehs-she-hse-hsse-sheq-or-ohs-and-whats-the-difference) Mar 26, 2021 [What is AI Slop and How to Avoid It?](https://blog.libryo.com/what-is-ai-slop-and-how-to-avoid-it) Jan 17, 2025 [101 Guide to the Latest Sustainability Regulations and Standards](https://blog.libryo.com/101-guide-to-the-latest-sustainability-regulations-and-standards) Apr 14, 2025 [5 Simple Ideas For Your Company To Reduce its Environmental Impact](https://blog.libryo.com/5-simple-ideas-for-your-company-to-reduce-its-environmental-impact) Apr 25, 2023 [ISO 14001:2026 Legal Register & Compliance Changes](https://blog.libryo.com/iso-140012026-legal-register-compliance-changes) May 28, 2026 Categories | Subscribe | Populars Welcome to Libryo’s Sky high thinkers blog, where thoughts on legaltech, sustainability, law, compliance and technology converge. Filter by topic or popular reads and share your thoughts with us and others. If you have a topic that you’d like to see covered, drop us an email: [info@libryo.com](mailto:info@libryo.com) Stay in the know by receiving monthly email updates directly into your inbox. **[SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG](https://blog.libryo.com/on-the-ground-with-assmang#subscribe)** - - - # On the ground with Assmang Written by Ben Tilley on June 29, 2021 In the past year the Covid-19 pandemic has torn across many major industries and left in its wake a realisation that many different procedures and protocols need to be adapted for the “new normal.” These changes could not be more apparent than in the mining sector, as it has definitely not been spared from the adverse effects that the pandemic has brought. Across all mines, new methods had to be introduced to ensure that social distancing is maintained to curb the spread of the virus. A mass outbreak on a mining site could spell a temporary disaster, as operations would have to grind to a halt. With this in mind, it is maybe no surprise that many companies are now implementing more remote operations of their sites through an increased use of technology, in both mining machinery and equipment. If anything, these changes were inevitable, due to the advancement of technology and the natural evolution of job roles to meet global trends. However, it definitely feels as if the pandemic is increasing the rate and urgency with which these new procedures are adopted and this can bring extra challenges along the way. For example, a push towards more remote operation of sites can naturally cause employees to question their own job security and become resistant to change. Such unpredictable times can really stress the importance of having a solid compliance structure in place, to ensure operation within the law and to meet the best interests of all parties involved. ![logo](https://blog.libryo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo.jpg?width=275&name=logo.jpg) We spoke to John Louw, Superintendent of Management Systems at [Ass](https://assmang.co.za/)[mang](https://assmang.co.za/) Iron Ore. John gave us his perspective on the operational and compliance challenges facing them and the mining industry in 2021.   Q: How do you think the industry will change over the next 5 years? **A:** We are starting to move people towards remote operation of the machinery. There is a lot of testing on different equipment to enable this remote operation. Some mining companies are also operating their machinery from a control room, which seems to be a new way forward. Digital and technological advancements are about to boom in South Africa and this paves the way forward for operations in the mining industry.  Q: How (if at all) have these changed since the Covid-19 pandemic? **A:** There have been many challenges that arose due to Covid-19 in our daily operations. Managing staff numbers has been difficult and we often have to operate with skeleton staff to ensure social distancing practices. In addition to this, when personnel have tested positive for the virus, it means we have to restructure our team. These issues can interrupt the flow of productivity. However, if an employee is able to work from home, that is a great benefit because it allows for procedures to be completed without risking the health of the rest of the team. This is not something that happened before the pandemic. Prior to this, we all worked on the mine. Covid has forced us to look to technology as a means to continue our operations. There is also a greater degree of urgency towards this now.  ![Khumani016](https://blog.libryo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Khumani016.jpg?width=385&name=Khumani016.jpg)![](https://blog.libryo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Khumani030-jpg.jpeg?width=383&name=Khumani030-jpg.jpeg)   Q: What are the typical challenges that you face with the establishment, management or implementation of a mining site?  **A:** The biggest challenge that has started to pop up is due to increased remote operation. Objections can arise especially from a unionised point of view. There is a fear from personnel of how this will affect their job security. There is concern that less employees will be needed to continue operations in this new environment. With a control room, some people may worry where their operating role and  job lies. The challenge is therefore going to be providing clarity to the team on the way forward and how we plan to operate through these difficult times.   Q: How is your compliance team structured today to meet compliance objectives, and how do you think it will look in a few years time? **A:** We have a document management system to keep track of our ISO certifications, so that our documentation is updated and kept in line with these standards. We are currently certified with [ISO 9001:2015](https://libryo.com/iso-9001-quality-management-legal-requirements/) Quality Management, [ISO 14001:2015](https://libryo.com/iso-14001-environmental-management-legal-requirements/) Environmental Management and [ISO 45001:2018](https://libryo.com/iso-45001-occupational-health-safety-legal-requirements/) Occupational Health and Safety. We also use [Isometrix](https://www.isometrix.com/), a non-conformance reporting system (and partners of Libryo), which I am responsible for implementing. I also coordinate the internal auditing process, during which we make use of an electronic SharePoint system and this is revised every 3 years. Furthermore, we are moving to get any and all legal appointments on the SharePoint. [Libryo](https://libryo.com/) is a really useful tool to use alongside our system, since it lets us review regulations and stay on top of legal updates that pertain to us. We also have a legal consultant that comes into the mine 3 times a month. They are responsible for communicating with and training our management staff, whether it is legal awareness or legal liability training. This allows the consultant to conduct an overall assessment to make sure we are operating within our compliance structure.    Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights with us John! 👏   To learn more about how Libryo is helping Mining companies click [here](https://libryo.com/libryo-for-mining-companies/).  #### More Info - [Sitemap](https://libryo.com/page-sitemap.xml) - [FAQ](https://libryo.com/faq/) - [Book a demo](https://info.libryo.com/book-a-demo) - [Libryo Collaborate](https://libryo.com/libryo-collaborate/) - [Careers](https://libryo.com/about-us/#careers) #### Get in touch [![envelope-150x150](https://blog.libryo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/envelope-150x150.png?width=25&height=25&name=envelope-150x150.png)  LEAVE MESSAGE](http://libryo.com/contact/) [![phone-150x150](https://blog.libryo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/phone-150x150.png?width=25&height=25&name=phone-150x150.png)  CONTACT](http://libryo.com/contact/) [![linkedinew-150x150](https://blog.libryo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/linkedinew-150x150.png?width=25&height=25&name=linkedinew-150x150.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/libryo/)           © Copyright 2024 ERM Libryo Ltd | [Privacy Policy](http://libryo.com/privacy-policy/) | [Terms](http://libryo.com/terms/) \[fa icon="chevron-up"\]Back to top