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In July 2008, the safety and sustainable development division was created to ensure that Exxaro has a sustainable
development platform with a clear programme. While the targets and objectives of this division are still being developed,
cognisance will be given to priorities raised in the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, and we are carefully
examining the issues raised at that summit that give rise to sustainable development programmes in organisations,
including:
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- Role of mining in communities
- Role of ethics in business
- Environmental care
- Due diligence
- Social responsibility
- Operating within the legal framework
- Participating in the legal process.
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We have already distilled these into three major areas, graphically shown below:
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The existing safety, health and environment (SHE) and
sustainable development structures across the group are
being reviewed in line with Exxaro’s strategy. Underpinned
by a comprehensive analysis of the business case for
sustainable development and the triple bottom-line drivers
in each area, our approach is determined by formal charters
that defi ne our goals and commitment to stakeholders.
These charters are, in turn, guided by South African
legislation, recommendations on corporate governance
and international benchmarks such as the Global Reporting
Initiative (GRI) and its sectoral supplements, the United
Nations Global Compact, and the International Council
on Mining and Minerals. In line with our commitment,
sustainability is a key performance indicator in the economic,
social and environmental aspects of our business.
The business case for sustainable development is graphically
shown overleaf, with the outer ring representing areas
that add value for Exxaro and the inner ring value for our
stakeholders – the ultimate aim, however, is creating value
for all. |
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We believe sustainable development is integral as part of our
value proposition to stakeholders. Our shareholders need to
understand the coherent process that underpins the way we
do business: from the strategy that drives our growth, to
our keen understanding of the risks that may impede that
strategy and the commitment of our management teams to
achieving profitability and sustainability. Therefore, we are
giving equal emphasis to strategic growth and sustainable
development, acknowledging that Exxaro’s success in South
Africa rests on their interdependence. To ensure continual
improvement, our strategy is regularly reviewed.
To remain abreast of the changing needs of our stakeholders
and the impact of our operations and initiatives, Exxaro
businesses have completed socio-economic assessments of
most of their operations. Through this process and continual
community engagement forums, Exxaro has been able to
establish a relationship of trust within communities where
it operates. |
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| In finding the balance between economic interests and social
and environmental concerns of our stakeholders, Exxaro
implements specific interventions and developmental
projects guided by the social needs of the community, and
by the national priorities of society at large, including: |
- Education, training and skills development
- Healthcare promotion, particularly HIV/Aids programmes
- Job creation, SMME (small, medium and micro enterprises)and other business opportunity development
- Conservation of environment, including awareness
programmes
- Infrastructure development.
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As a mining group, our challenge is to demonstrate that the
way we approach our business contributes to sustainable
development. This means balancing the opportunities
for growth and development that responsible citizenship
presents and ensuring that the social, environmental
and economic impacts of mining – positive and negative
– are managed in an open and accountable way. This will require leadership in promoting sustainability as a business
philosophy.
Accordingly, our operations have social and labour plans
and environmental management plans, most of which
have been approved by authorities. These plans guide the
implementation of a balanced approach between Exxaro’s
interests and the social and environmental concerns of the
community.
By stipulating leadership in sustainable development as
one of the elements of our strategic framework, we have
committed ourselves to setting and achieving targets that will
ensure the legacy we leave is positive for today’s children and
tomorrow’s leaders.
Through triple bottom-line reporting, charting our progress
towards these targets is a measurable performance indicator
for every level of management, and the responsibility of
every person in our group. |
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Listing particulars
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