Product responsibility
Management approach
AngloGold Ashanti is engaged in a number of initiatives that promote product responsibility in gold. The company is a member of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) and the World Gold Council (WGC).
The ICMM furthers responsible production in the mining and metals industries by acting as a catalyst for performance improvement and contributing to sustainable development. Many of the world’s major metals and mining companies are members of the ICMM. ICMM members are required to implement the ICMM Sustainable Development Framework, which comprises three elements: a set of 10 principles, public reporting and independent assurance. The principles cover all aspects of sustainability performance. Members are also required to implement a number of position statements that give greater clarity to some of the commitments in the 10 principles. Company members must report their performance against the 10 principles in accordance with GRI guidelines. Lastly, they must provide third-party verification that they meet their commitments to the 10 principles.
The RJC is an international not-for-profit organisation bringing together companies across the jewellery supply chain. RJC members are committed to promoting responsible ethical, social and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the industry from mines to jewellery shops. Mining members of the RJC are required to be independently certified to its Code of Practices by December 2012. AngloGold Ashanti is working towards this goal.
The WGC is a global gold marketing body funded by the world’s leading gold mining companies. It is also party to product responsibility initiatives and is a member of both the ICMM and the RJC.
Performance indicators
The following core and additional indicators are reported in compliance with GRI in addition to indicators from the Mining and Metals
Sector Supplement of the GRI (prefaced with ‘MM’). In addition, where the response is applicable to the ICMM principles or the
principles of the UN Global Compact, this is illustrated by their respective logos
and
.
Indicators that have been verified by Ernst & Young (E&Y) for 2010 are indicated with either a
or a
depending on whether the indicator has had limited or reasonable assurance.
| Indicator | Description | UNGC | ICMM | E&Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR1 (Core) | Life cycle stages in which health and safety impacts of products and services are assessed for improvement, and percentage of significant products and services categories subject to such procedures. | |||
| PR3 (Core) | Type of product and service information required by procedures, and percentage of significant products and services subject to such information requirements. | |||
| PR6 (Core) | Programmes of adherence to laws, standards and voluntary codes related to marketing communications, including advertising, promotion and sponsorship. | |||
| PR9 (Core) | Monetary value of significant fines for non-compliance with laws and regulations concerning the provision and use of products and services. |
Health and safety impacts of products
PR1: Life cycle stages in which health and safety impacts of products and services are assessed for improvement, and percentage of significant products and services categories subject to such procedures.
This core indicator is categorised under the GRI aspect of customer health and safety.
Gold is a benign product which has no significant health or safety impacts. However, the activities involved in the mining and processing of gold, and in some of the by-products generated, have the potential to negatively affect the safety and health of employees and communities, and their environment. AngloGold Ashanti is involved in a number of initiatives that promote responsible gold production, as detailed in discussion of its management approach to product responsibility above.
Product and service labelling
PR3: Type of product and service information required by procedures, and percentage of significant products and services subject to such information requirements.
This core indicator is categorised under the GRI aspect of product and service labelling.
As we primarily sell gold in unwrought form, packaging requirements are minimal and this disclosure is therefore not significant in our business.
Adherence to marketing communications laws, standards and codes
PR6: Programmes of adherence to laws, standards and voluntary codes related to marketing communications, including advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
This core indicator is categorised under the GRI aspect of marketing communications.
This disclosure does not relate to our business as AngloGold Ashanti does not conduct extensive marketing communications programmes and does not therefore generate any significant impact in this area.
Fines relating to provision and use of products and services
PR9:Monetary value of significant fines for non-compliance with laws and regulations concerning the provision and use of products and services.
This core indicator is categorised under the GRI aspect of compliance.
No incidences of non-compliance with laws or regulations concerning the provision and use of products and services have been identified.
