Building Global Links
The major externally developed voluntary initiatives that we are involved in, or are progressively implementing (the date in brackets indicates the year in which we commenced our involvement) include:
- Australian Minerals Industry Code for Environmental Management (1996), now 'Enduring Value'
- Global Reporting Initiative (2002) and the Minerals Sector Supplement
- International Council on Mining and Metals Sustainable Development Framework (2003)
- ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems (2002)
- Mining Certification Evaluation Project – Australian Regional Initiative (2002)
- UN Global Compact (2002)
- UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (2001)
- US-UK Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (2003)
- World Bank Operational Directive on Involuntary Resettlement (2003).
We are actively involved in the Mining Certification Evaluation Project to evaluate whether an independent certification process of environmental and social performance can be applied to the mining sector. The research and development exercise is led by the World Wide Fund for Nature with participation from a working group comprising representatives of mining companies, NGOs, trade unions, government agencies, financial and accounting organisations and research institutions.
The aim of the project is to build consensus on measurable and auditable standards for site-based performance. For further background on the project, refer to our 2004 report for the case study, Mining Certification Evaluation Project. During the year, the criteria were firmed, and draft audit protocolswere trialled and refined at five mine sites around the world. The final report of the project will be released late 2005. The work will provide useful input to further evaluation of the merit and potential application of mine certification schemes.
We also collaborate with governments, NGOs and academic institutions worldwide to undertake and support research on improving HSEC performance. See below for further details on our activities with the following organisations:
Also refer to Our Stakeholders – Industry Associations for further details on specific initiatives we are undertaking through our relationships with the International Council on Mining & Metals and World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Global Reporting Initiative
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is a multi-stakeholder process developing and disseminating globally applicable sustainability reporting guidelines. Established in 1997, GRI became an independent institution in 2002 and is an official collaborating centre of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and works in collaboration with the UN Global Compact.
The core guidelines are for voluntary use by organisations for reporting on the economic, environmental and social dimensions of their activities, products and services. The GRI incorporates the active participation of representatives from business, accountancy, investment, environmental, human rights, research and labour organisations from around the world. We are an organisational stakeholder of the GRI and provide some limited funding to assist in the promotion of the organisation's objectives.
This year we have again produced our Sustainability Report in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 2002 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines; however, we have also adopted the Mining and Metals Sector Supplement.
The Supplement was developed by a multi-stakeholder working group convened by the International Council on Mining and Metals and the GRI. The working group was made up of 20 individuals representing companies, the financial sector, labour unions, international organisations, and social and environmental organisations. The Supplement assists mining and metals companies to report effectively to key stakeholders by providing additional indicators of particular relevance to industry. The Supplement also provides greater clarity around existing GRI indicators to ensure relevance to the sector and its key stakeholders.
Reporting in accordance with the core GRI Guidelines and Mining and Minerals Sector Supplement is an evolving process, as our reporting systems continue to enhance the information reported. Due to the size and complexity of our business, judgements have had to be made regarding the extent of the information that can be presented in relation to each GRI indicator.
To see how and where we have addressed the GRI Indicators, refer to our GRI Navigator.
UN Global Compact
The UN Global Compact is an international initiative that brings together companies with UN agencies, labour organisations and civil society to support ten principles covering human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
Through the power of collective action, the Global Compact seeks to advance responsible corporate citizenship so that business can be part of the solution to the challenges of globalisation. In this way, the private sector can help realise the vision of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan of a more sustainable and inclusive global economy.
With regard to the Global Compact's core values in the area of labour standards, while we fully recognise the right of our employees to freely associate and join trade unions, at a number of locations we have a mix of collective and individual arrangements. Prospective employees are made aware of employment arrangements prior to joining the Company. At all times, our businesses comply with local employment law requirements and treat employees in accordance with the values expressed in our Charter. For further details, refer to our section on Freedom of Association.
To see our progress during 2005 against the Global Compact's ten principles, refer to our Global Compact Progress Assessment.
A copy of our letter to the United Nations is available on our website.
