External assurance
The Sustainable Development Report 2016 was externally assessed and assured by Ernst & Young.
SEE ASSURANCE REPORTSustainable Development Report 2017
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Our 2017 performance
Safety remains our highest priority.
Our safety performance for the year was characterised by starkly contrasting outcomes between the first and second halves of the year. Our resolve to operate workplaces free of injury and harm has been strengthened, and we remain convinced that our approach to address fatal risk through critical control management, is the correct path to take.
Operational fatalities
7 2016: 7Fatal injury frequency rate
0.06 2016: 0.06All injury frequency rate
7.49 2016: 7.71Injury severity rate
314 2016: 313
Our strategy is based on a strong foundation built on safe production, and on attracting and retaining the right people.
Our remuneration policy is robust and we aim to align it with our strategic objectives. This is accomplished by means of a governance and application framework that primarily aims to attract, retain and motivate a skilled workforce through fair, responsible, transparent and competitive remuneration. The proposal to enhance our incentive structure was presented to and received 97% shareholder approval at the 2017 AGM. We will now be implementing a revised incentive scheme: the Deferred Share Plan, which replaces the short- and long-term incentive schemes, as we continue to improve how we remunerate and incentivise our employees to better deliver on our strategy, while ensuring they receive a fair return for their efforts.
We contributed $24.05m to community investment projects
By focusing on the needs and challenges of the host communities where we operate, AngloGold Ashanti can create opportunities for shared value throughout the life cycle of our mines.
Responsible environmental stewardship is a critical aspect of acquiring and maintaining our social licence to operate.
In pursing this outcome, we constantly seek to use our share of natural resources efficiently and conscientiously. We set 2030 environment aspirational goals aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We continue to address our environmental impacts and reportable incidents, and we have strengthened our focus on the optimal use of natural resources.
Sustainable development achievements from our operations around the world.
Rehabilitation activities at our Córrego do SÃtio I mine
Rehabilitation activities have been concurrently implemented with mining operations since 1992. While the site is in various stages of regeneration, an area of approximately 379.25ha has been planted with native vegetation.
Contributions to local hospital in San Julian
We made contributions towards the purchase of equipment for the local hospital in San Julian. This included the acquisition of a surgical operating table, an automatic external defibrillator and a kit for video laryngoscopy.
Youth entrepreneurship programme in the Cajamarca municpality
We established a youth entrepreneurship programme in the Cajamarca municipality, where our La Colosa project is situated, in partnership with an agricultural and education institution.
Progress in mine closure activities
Following the challenges and subsequent delays we experienced at Yatela Gold Mine in Mali as reported in the Sustainable Development Report 2016, we made good progress in the implementation of mine closure activities in 2017.
The Siguiri Economic Development programme (SEDP)
We established the SEDP to stimulate the local economy and nurture alternatively livelihood beyond the life of our mining operations.
Record level safety successes
In the first half of the year, we experienced record level safety successes. Prior to experiencing the first fatal injury for the year, the South Africa Operations had experienced 349 fatal-free days – the longest fatality free period in its history.
Great Victoria Biodiversity Trust (GVBT)
The GVBT initiated three projects focused on fire history and knowledge to facilitate improved fire management. The aim is to protect vegetation and threatened fauna in the Great Victoria Desert from devastation caused by large late-season fires.
The Geita water supply project
The Geita water supply project provides potable water to Geita Town residents by way of domestic connections and public access. When the project was initiated in 2012, only 3% of residents had access to clean and safe water but, by January 2016, that figure had risen to 36% as a result of the initiative.
Obuasi Gold Mine and the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a public meeting
Obuasi Gold Mine and the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a public meeting in 2017 to discuss the potential redevelopment of the mine. Discussions were attended by more than 46 communities, as well as paramount, divisional and local chiefs within the Adansi and Bekwai communities, local NGOs and other stakeholders.
Material issues
Our sustainable development challenge is framed by the material issues facing the company. Our reporting reflects these issues as they are highlighted by the business and our stakeholders.
- Employee safety
- Employee and community health
- Contributing to self-sustaining communities
- Responsible environmental stewardship
- Integrated closure management
- Employee, community and asset security
- Artisanal and small scale mining
- Respecting human rights
- Talent management and skills development
- Navigating regulatory and political uncertainty and risk
Case studies
Our sustainable development challenge is framed by the material issues facing the company. Our reporting reflects these issues as they are highlighted by the business and our stakeholders.
Compliance and assurance
This report complies with the G4 guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). These guidelines are the benchmark for sustainability reporting globally. We report at a core level against the guidelines, which means we conduct a robust materiality assessment and focus our reporting on these aspects.
