21 January 2011
Anglo American and International Alert are pleased to announce the launch of a strategic partnership to promote and implement conflict-sensitive business practice. Anglo American Chief Executive, Cynthia Carroll and International Alert Secretary General, Dan Smith, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes a three year collaboration.

Anglo American is one of the world’s leading mining companies and has long recognised that the mining industry has the potential to significantly impact, both beneficially and negatively, upon local communities and more broadly in the countries where it operates.

Cynthia Carroll said, “We have a significant presence in many developing countries and strive to promote safe and sustainable mining and economic development wherever we operate. We take our responsibilities seriously – to prevent conflict and to protect and promote human rights – and have developed systematic processes to achieve this, including through our industry leading social management process SEAT. However, we always have more to learn and as we strive to continue to improve our performance, we are delighted to be able to draw on the expertise of such an experienced NGO as International Alert”.

International Alert is one of the world’s leading peacekeeping NGOs and seeks to build sustainable peace in countries and communities affected by violent conflict. It has worked extensively with governments, international institutions and the private sector to support its objectives. Dan Smith said: “Our work across Africa and South America has shown us how difficult it can be to undertake mining activity without a negative impact on local communities. We are very encouraged by Anglo American’s commitment to learning more by working with us so as to avoid conflict and to contribute to peaceful and sustainable development.”

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Anglo American plc is one of the world’s largest mining companies, is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Anglo American’s portfolio of mining businesses spans precious metals and minerals – in which it is a global leader in both platinum and diamonds; base metals – copper and nickel; and bulk commodities – iron ore, metallurgical coal and thermal coal. Anglo American is committed to the highest standards of safety and responsibility across all its businesses and geographies and to making a sustainable difference in the development of the communities around its operations.

Anglo American is party to the UN Global Compact and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, multi-stakeholder fora in which International Alert has also been very active. Anglo American believes that the NGO sector brings considerable expertise in areas that are not always traditional strengths of the industry. The company has strategic partnerships in place with CARE International and Fauna and Flora International, as well as multiple collaborations with NGOs at a local level in many countries.

Anglo American’s mining operations and extensive pipeline of growth projects are located in southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America and Asia. www.angloamerican.com

International Alert is one of the world’s leading peacebuilding organisations and is celebrating 25 years in 2011 of working on the ground in areas torn apart by violent conflict and with governments and international institutions to agree and implement the most effective policies and practices for sustainable peace.

Alert works in over 20 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East with 16 field offices and over 150 staff including the London HQ. Working with the private sector – in particular multinational oil and mining companies – is an important part of instilling a conflict-sensitive approach to work and policies at both corporate headquarters and in the field. Alert has been widely recognised and applauded for its ground-breaking Conflict Sensitive Business Practice guidelines and training www.international-alert.org