AngloGold Ashanti commits to responsible mining
AngloGold Ashanti says sustainability remains at the foundation of its strategy. The Company continues to prioritise local procurement at its mines and to prioritise employment from host countries and communities.
AngloGold Ashanti expects to improve on the $3.3bn in value distributed to host governments and communities in 2019, including $808m in taxes and royalties, $559m in employee salaries, wages and training; and $1.7bn in payments to suppliers and service providers.
“We’re not only focused on being a cleaner, safer company, but also being a more significant contributor to the societies in which we operate,” said Stewart Bailey, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability. “This is an essential component to strengthening our license to operate.”
The Company will move into 2021 positioned to deliver a significantly smaller carbon footprint than in 2020, with the sale of its South African assets expected to further reduce annual Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions of its portfolio by about 45%.
In 2008, AngloGold Ashanti announced a target of a 30% reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions by 2022 and had already achieved a 43% reduction in carbon intensity of its operations by 2018, due to a number of energy efficiency projects, the sale of certain assets powered by coal-fired electricity, and the use of hydropower at several of its assets – including its Brazil operations – and replacing diesel generators in Australia with natural gas.
The Company’s projects in Colombia are expected to use power from the national grid, which is backed by hydropower.
AngloGold Ashanti is working on a new Climate Strategy, that includes implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosure. This is expected to be completed around mid-year, while new emission reduction targets are expected before year-end.
AngloGold Ashanti has adapted quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic while doing its part to contribute to the global efforts to stop the spread of the virus and provide public health and economic relief to local communities.
Notwithstanding the challenges posed to the business, the pandemic has proven AngloGold Ashanti’s social and sustainability capabilities, highlighting the strength of local participation at its global assets, relationships with governments and host communities, and the benefit of its diverse portfolio which supported the business during stoppages.
This is all testament to the quality of the people in the business and their commitment to its values.
