2007 Annual Report

Environment

Environment (PDF – 560KB)

Our scorecard

Printer friendly

At the end of the 2006 financial year we set a number of performance objectives for 2007. In the table below, we report on our performance against these objectives.

Objectives for 2007	Performance in 2007	Achieved or not achieved	The next steps
To complete certification of all outstanding operations to the ISO14001 standard, and to extend the ISO14001 certification requirement to exploration activities so that these are certified by the end of December 2007.	All operations have been certified to the ISO14001 standard. Navachab achieved certification in March and Yatela in November 2007. In December, AngloGold Ashanti Health Services was also recommended for certification. The exploration department intends to implement an integrated health, safety and environmental management system and certification will therefore be delayed while this is done.	Partially achieved	Maintain ISO14001 certification at all operations and implement an integrated health, safety and environment system within the exploration discipline.
To continue the development and implementation of a series of environmental guidelines to direct and improve our environmental performance.	Five environmental guidelines were produced during the year.	Partially achieved	Additional guidelines will be produced as required.
To test, in association with appropriate external organisations, the use of the ICMM’s Good Practice Guidance in promoting the management of biodiversity-related issues within the company from exploration, through operation to closure.	Biodiversity was included as an aspect of the recent Corporate Environmental Review programme (CERP). See case study: Corporate environmental review programme initiated for details on the progress that has been made.	Partially achieved	Continue to promote the management of biodiversity related issues within the company. Develop a corporate biodiversity guideline.
To improve mine closure planning practices, through a review of current processes, comparison with international good practice and development of an appropriate guideline.	Mine closure estimates are reviewed on an annual basis. Mine closure plans for African operations outside of South Africa were reviewed by external consultants to assess consistency and good practices. Further policy guidance is being developed by the ICMM.	Partially achieved	Continue reviewing mine closure plans on an annual basis and develop appropriate guidelines.
To continue to improve environmental data-gathering systems, and to produce this data in such a way as to allow meaningful comparison across the company's operations, and to facilitate setting targets and taking corrective management action and reporting environmental performance across the company.	The identification collection, use and reporting of meaningful data will continue to present challenges, but under the ISO14001 framework operations have made notable improvements to their environmental management information systems. During the year a consolidated GRI Environmental Performance Indicator template was developed following consultation at an operational level. The data provided for 2007 (PDF - 575KB) is available in this report.	Partially achieved	We aim to improve our disclosure in line with GRI requirements on an incremental basis.
To extend the use of geographical information systems (GIS) across the African region as a way in which to support the improvement of environmental performance.	The results of a demonstration project using high-resolution satellite imagery, were reviewed in December 2007. Although the application is very promising, it will require significant additional resources, computing infrastructure, and investment in staff, training and software.	Partially achieved	To be considered in 2008.
To develop a system that will recognise and reward environmental performance within the organisation.	Results from the Corporate Environmental Review Programme (CERP) will form the basis of an evaluation to reward environmental performance at the operational level.	Achieved	The first award will be made in Q1 2008.

Our scorecard Next > Review of 2007

Tropicana, Australia

Tropicana, Australia

AngloGold Ashanti Annual Report 2007 – Report to Society