Improving living conditions is a prerequisite for stable and safe communities to be able to prosper long after our mines have closed. We want our employees and their families to enjoy quality housing and living conditions, and we assist by providing various housing options. Our focus is on making it possible for eligible employees to buy their own homes in areas near our mining operations.
By the end of 2014, all Anglo American business units in South Africa had met the Mining Charter requirements to convert all traditional mining hostels into single or family units, with a one-person-per-room occupancy rate in single accommodation.
However, the business realised that a range of housing options is needed to cater for the diverse circumstances and preferences of our employees. Our business units promote and facilitate home-ownership options and other competitive housing allowances and, in some cases, loan subsidies for eligible employees.
Our housing projects include the provision of roads, electricity, water supplies, and sewerage. Through an innovative funding model, we invest in a portion of the bulk services for property development and, in return, receive significantly discounted building packages that are passed on to our employees.
We partner with organised labour, government and third parties to improve living conditions and provide additional housing and building capacity in the municipalities concerned. Partnerships with government are fundamental to the successful implementation of housing projects.