An energy-efficiency initiative: personal locks on equipment protect operators against accidental energy releases
We are committed to the highest standards of safety and responsibility across all of our businesses and geographies, and to making a real difference to the communities that surround our operations.
Read on for more information about Metallurgical Coal's approach to Safety, Climate Change and the Environment, Social Responsibility and communty engagement.
Safety
Ensuring employees and contractors remain safe at work is our number one priority, and we are committed to implementing the right safety systems and operating in a way that promotes safe behaviours, moving toward an overall objective of zero harm. Find out more about innovations we are implementing in safety in our
case study section.
Climate change and the environment
Our efforts in climate advocacy and research are continuing. We are actively involved in groups such as the Sustainable Minerals Institute, CO2CRC and the Low Emissions Technology Fund, and are committed to exploring new ways to reduce our carbon emissions. For example, in 2009 we invested in a 20 percent stake in MBD Energy, a company exploring algae synthesiser technology, which involves converting CO2 into valuable by-products.
In Australia, we now provide waste coal-mine gas to two power stations owned and operated by Energy Developments Limited, which together reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by about 2.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually, providing the same environmental benefits as planting 3.6 million trees or taking 580,000 cars off the road.
We are committed to protecting the natural environment wherever we operate. Land, biodiversity and water resources are fundamental to a sustainable future. Our operational strategies are built around the efficient use of energy and natural resources, and minimising waste. Our operations also strive to minimise any negative effects on other environmental amenities, including air, noise and visual amenity.
Communities
As the coal industry continues to grow, there are, inevitably, impacts on community resources in our mining regions. We continue our efforts to be responsive to the expectations of our people and their communities by consulting and engaging with them.
In 2009, Dawson mine released its Socio-economic Assessment Toolbox (SEAT) report, developed in consultation with the surrounding community. SEAT is implemented at site every three years, and comprises extensive research, targeted interviews with key stakeholders from local businesses, government and schools, and surveys with a broad sample of the wider community. Once complete, SEAT helps shape each mine’s community engagement plan, which includes annual community investment and sponsorship.
Social Responsibility
The Anglo American Social Vision is to make a lasting, positive contribution to the communities associated with our operations, and to be a partner of choice for host governments and communities, as well as employer of choice. Find out more information about our approach here.
Making a difference
Our view of sustainability involves striking an optimal balance between economic, environmental and social development. We engage with employees, communities, investors, regulators, non-governmental organisations, business partners and industry representatives to help us have a positive impact on the areas where we operate.
We recognise our role in addressing key local and global sustainable development concerns, and seek ways in which our business can contribute to the mitigation of these concerns. These include climate change, water scarcity, indigenous capacity building, poverty, disease and education. Where our operations can make practical sustainable improvements in these areas of concern, we apply our people, knowledge, technology and resources to make a difference.