Creating Value with the Future in Mind - Anglo American South Africa

Our approach governance and management for sustainable development
Governance and
management for
sustainable development
We operate to the highest standards of corporate
governance, in accordance with the UK Corporate
Governance Code. Our approach to business is
underpinned by our core values, in particular
those of accountability and integrity.
One of our stated strategic objectives
is to operate safely, sustainably and
responsibly as a key part of our aim
of becoming the leading global mining
company. Our governance structures
relating to sustainable development
support this aspiration, providing
clear lines of responsibility from the
operational level through to the Board,
as shown in the diagram on page 19. Full
details on our corporate governance are
contained within our Annual Report.
MANAGING SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
Our investment decisions, how we plan
and implement projects, and the way
in which we manage our operations
and mine closure are governed by a set
of Group Technical Standards, as well
as the Anglo American ‘Ways’. These
set out mandatory performance
requirements, as well as the vision,
principles, policies, frameworks and
management system requirements
for managing our core sustainability
risks and opportunities. All service
providers acting on Anglo American’s
behalf are expected to adopt and
follow our Group standards and
policies. We also promote comparable
standards in joint ventures and
associate companies.
Audit and assurance
The S&SD risk and assurance team is
responsible for auditing and providing
assurance on the compliance of
operations with our Group standards
and, where relevant, legislative
requirements, as well as for the
process of identifying and assessing
S&SD risks throughout the Group.
The team works with Anglo American’s
business assurance services, which is
responsible for Group-wide integrated
risk management, business integrity,
Integrity and
accountability
are core values
for Anglo
American...
Living up to
these values is
essential for
earning and
maintaining
trust with our
stakeholders.
It is also
fundamental
to the success
of our business.
internal audit and assurance services.
Sustainability audits are led by
professional audit managers and
supported by experienced personnel
drawn from across the organisation.
Audit reports that identify elements
of best practice and areas for
improvement are shared with site
and business unit leadership teams
and discussed at the S&SD Committee
of the Board.
In addition to these internal audits,
third-party audits are conducted
at operations for the ISO 14001
and OHSAS 18001 certification
processes and also as part of providing
assurance for our annual Sustainable
Development Report.
Ensuring Business Integrity
Integrity and accountability are core
values for Anglo American. Along
with a commitment to transparency
and engagement, living up to these
values is essential for earning
and maintaining trust with our
stakeholders. It is also fundamental
to the success of our business.
Our commitment to integrity and
accountability and zero tolerance
of corruption is given effect through
our business integrity policy and our
Good Citizenship Business Principles.
The policy and principles apply to
every business we manage and to
everything we do, regardless of
where we operate or procure from.
Corruption significantly reduces our
ability to contribute to development
in the countries where we operate.
It undermines good governance,
erodes trust, weakens the rule of law,
drives away investment and increases
the costs and unpredictability of
doing business.
For this reason we actively engage
in the fight against corruption by
supporting international frameworks
such as the UN Global Compact and
the Extractive Industries Transparency
Initiative (EITI) and report annually on
the tax and royalty payments we make
in our significant countries of operation
(see pages 26–29). We are committed
to working with stakeholders in
government, business and civil society
to promote good governance and the
responsible use of mineral wealth, and
to prevent corruption.
Business integrity policy
Our business integrity policy makes
it clear that we will neither give nor
accept bribes, nor permit others to do
so in our name, either in our dealings
with public officials or with our
suppliers and customers.
The policy sets out the standards
of conduct required at every level
of Anglo American, including our
subsidiaries, joint ventures and
associates, in combating corrupt
behaviour of all types. It also sets
out the requirements of those with
whom we do business and those who
work on our behalf.
The policy is supported by
11 performance standards that cover:
the giving or receiving of gifts and/or
entertainment; conflicts of interest;
political donations; the use of company
assets; facilitation payments; working
with intermediaries; interactions with
government officials; charitable
donations; social investment;
sponsorships; and mergers,
acquisitions, joint ventures and
associates. The standards require that
our employees perform their duties
honestly and avoid conflicts of interest.
They must abide by our policies and
procedures with regard to giving or
receiving gifts and hospitality, act in
a transparent manner, and ensure
that they do not seek any improper
advantage when conducting business
or in their dealings with public officials.
The standards prohibit the company
from making donations to any political
party or politician.
The business integrity policy and
performance standards have been
translated into all the main languages
that we use at our operations.
18 Anglo American plc Sustainable Development Report 2012