When we first invest in a new mining project, we evaluate the potential impact of our operations in the designated area. We understand the importance of the indirect impacts of our operations on local communities. Each year we commit considerable resources to assessing these impacts and ensuring that our activities promote social and economic wellbeing among local communities. We understand the importance of the indirect impacts of our operations on local communities. Each year we commit considerable resources to assessing these impacts and ensuring that our activities promote social and economic wellbeing among local communities. We assess the indirect economic impacts and devise long-term strategies based on these initial assessments. We also enter into agreements with local governments, institutions and public organisations to ensure all programmes can be delivered in a way that derives maximum benefit for local communities.
The success of our communities programme is built upon open dialogue and engagement. Since 2008 we have been developing feedback systems designed to elicit local people’s opinions and ideas and review their needs. Through annual public meetings, individual meetings, questionnaires and polls, we engage local stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of our efforts during the previous periods, and to identify our sustainability goals for the years ahead.