Anglo American today published its 16th annual Sustainability Report, entitled ‘Delivering Change, Building Resilience, Working in Partnership’. Published alongside Anglo American’s Annual Report, both reports set out our commitment to delivering real and sustainable value for all stakeholders, aligned with our vision of being partners in the future.
To access the 2016 Sustainability Report and Annual Report in full, please visit our reporting centre: http://www.angloamerican.com/investors/annual-reporting
Sir John Parker, Chairman of Anglo American, said: “During 2016, the mining industry emerged bruised, but stronger, hopefully wiser – and determined to continue to strive for better, including keeping sustainability at the centre of how we conduct business.”
“At Anglo American, with a much strengthened balance sheet, our Operating Model proving its value, and the quality of the asset portfolio greatly enhanced, we are demonstrating our resilience through the cycle. Further progress demands innovative thinking and continued close collaboration with our many partners, while delivering on our commitments to be a meaningful development player.”
Mark Cutifani, Chief Executive of Anglo American, added: “The positive difference that we make has long been at the heart of how Anglo American does business. We will soon be setting out an ambitious new sustainability strategy, influenced by our spirit of partnership and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We will continue to focus on those areas where we believe we can create the most sustainable socio-economic value – jobs, education and health. Our sustainability ambitions are also very much at the centre of our FutureSmart™ mining innovation work, particularly in relation to new stretch targets for water, energy and the natural environment more broadly.
“As we mark our centenary later this year, I would like to say thank you to all our stakeholders for the role they have played in Anglo American’s journey and successes so far and I am confident there is much more we can look forward to, together.”
Anglo American’s Sustainability Report highlighted progress and ambitions in a number of areas, including:
Safety – The goal of zero harm is Anglo American’s number one priority.
- Our relentless focus on safety in the workplace was overshadowed by the loss of 11 members of our workforce in 10 fatal work-related incidents at operations managed by Anglo American in 2016. Any loss of life is unacceptable to Anglo American and we are unwavering in our commitment to achieving zero harm.
- 2016 saw a 24% decrease in Anglo American’s total recordable case frequency rate, which includes any injury that requires more than first-aid treatment, exceeding its year-on-year 15% reduction target.
Health – Anglo American remains committed to preventing occupational disease.
- In 2016, Anglo American achieved its year-on-year reduction targets for new cases of occupational disease, reduced from 163 in 2015 to 111 in 2016, and increased voluntary employee HIV counselling and testing levels from 68% in 2015 to 88% in 2016, exceeding its target of testing more than 80% of employees in southern Africa.
- Anglo American is a recognised leader in tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS programmes in the workplace and showed further improvement in these areas in 2016. Whilst 14 employees regrettably died from TB in 2016, this is a decrease on 28 deaths from TB recorded in 2015.
Maximising the benefits of mining – Anglo American seeks to ensure that local communities thrive from Anglo American’s presence in mining regions.
- Anglo American launched its Code of Conduct, which encompasses its Human Rights Policy and integrates the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, embedding them in its corporate standards.
- In 2016, Anglo American forged a new partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank, which will help promote job creation and support the company’s socio-economic development in South America.
- Expenditure on suppliers based in communities close to Anglo American’s operations was 23% of total supplier expenditure in 2016, compared to 15.3% in 2015.
Water & Energy – Anglo American is envisioning how its innovative mines of the future can further lower the carbon footprint of mining operations.
- Total new-water consumption decreased by 14% across Anglo American’s global portfolio compared to 2015.
- Of total operational requirements, 66% were met by recycling or re-using water, compared to 64% in 2015. Anglo American continues to work towards its ambitious water savings targets for 2020, aiming to reduce freshwater intake by 20% and use recycled or re-used water for 75% of its requirements.
Climate change – Anglo American is committed to ensuring that future generations grow up in a sustainable world.
- In 2016, a total of 320 energy efficiency and business improvement projects saved 5.8 million GJ in energy consumption, with the avoided energy cost estimated at US $90 million.
- Anglo American is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 22% by 2020.
Notes to editors:
Anglo American is a globally diversified mining business. Our portfolio of world-class competitive mining operations and undeveloped resources provides the raw materials to meet the growing consumer-driven demands of the world’s developed and maturing economies. Our people are at the heart of our business. It is our people who use the latest technologies to find new resources, plan and build our mines and who mine, process and move and market our products to our customers around the world.
As a responsible miner - of diamonds (through De Beers), platinum and other precious metals, copper, nickel, iron ore and coal - we are the custodians of what are precious natural resources. We work together with our key partners and stakeholders to unlock the long-term value that those resources represent for our shareholders and for the communities and countries in which we operate – creating sustainable value and making a real difference.
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