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Environment
We protect and responsibly manage the natural resources under our care.
We protect and responsibly manage the natural resources under our care.
Responsible environmental stewardship is an integral part of our business. A framework of an environment policy, standards and guidelines support the minimisation and mitigation of our operations’ environmental impacts, major expansions and new projects. A transition to nature-positive mining is central to AngloGold Ashanti’s vision of leaving a positive legacy in the countries and communities where we operate.
Our sustainability policy establishes our environmental ambitions and emphasises the responsible management of environmental risks, including threats to natural resources, while working to reduce our closure liabilities.
We employ a systemic approach to managing environmental risks at current operations and new projects. Senior operational managers are accountable for compliance with regulatory and permit requirements and conformance with our own environmental standards, supported by guidance from the corporate office. These standards are reviewed as global good practice expectations evolve.
Audits and compliance
All our operating mines are ISO 14001: 2015 certified. CVSA, Serra Grande, AGA Mineração, Siguiri, Iduapriem, Geita, Sunrise Dam, Tropicana were recertified after the successful completion of an external audit. ISO 14001 surveillance audits were undertaken at all operations. All our managed operations that use cyanide are currently certified by the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC).
Performance in 2024
We recorded one reportable environmental incident during 2024 (2023: one). Reportable incidents are defined by our incident classification and reporting standard, which sets out how we identify, respond to and communicate events that impact negatively on the environment or communities.
Environmental incidents (number) (all severity levels)
For further information, refer to Sustainability Report 2024: Environmental Stewardship
Policies and standards
- Environmental Incident Classification Criteria English, pdf
- Management Standard: Biodiversity English, pdf
- Management standard: Chemical English, pdf
- Management Standard: Waste English, pdf
- Management standard: Water English, pdf
ISO 14001:2015 certificates
- AGA Brazil Gold Mine English, pdf
- Cerro Vanguardia Gold Mine English, pdf
- Geita Gold Mine English, pdf
- Iduapriem Gold Mine English, pdf
- Obuasi Gold Mine English, pdf
- Serra Grande Gold Mine English, pdf
- Siguiri Gold Mine English, pdf
- Sunrise Dam Gold Mine English, pdf
- Tropicana Gold Mine English, pdf
Energy & climate change
AngloGold Ashanti set its first emissions reduction targets in 2008, which were met in 2017 and as a result, carbon intensity has reduced by 43%.
Tailings management
Our tailings storage facilities are designed and built to a rigorous set of standards and carefully managed and monitored by a team of specialists.
Water
Water is a valuable and often scarce resource. It is also one which we share with other users such as farmers, local industries and communities.
Rehabilitation & closure
Our vision is to leaving a positive legacy in the countries and communities where we operate. Ongoing planning for site closure and, where feasible, implementation of concurrent rehabilitation is central to this.
Related stories
Weather event provides opportunity to implement learnings and best practice
In March 2024, Tropicana in Western Australia suspended open cut mining and processing operations following a significant rainfall event in which 312mm of rain was recorded in a 72-hour period. To ensure the safety of our people and to protect assets and equipment, the site was placed in Incident Management Team (IMT) mode prior to the rain event.
Renewable energy to deliver reduced carbon emissions for Tropicana
Adapting and transitioning to clean energy to preserve our natural world for today and future generations is something we are committed to across AngloGold Ashanti.
Rethinking tailings deposition at Cuiabá Mine
Tailings deposition at Cuiabá Mine has undergone a major transformation over the years, as the facility has adapted to changing operational needs and changes in Brazilian legislation following the catastrophic failures at Samarco in 2015 and Brumadinho in 2019.
AngloGold Ashanti Brazil’s TSF Emergency Preparation Plan provides blueprint for Group roll-out
AngloGold Ashanti Brazil is working to fulfil its commitment to implement the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management within three years.
Environmental Education Centre raises awareness and reinforces ESG agenda
Our Environmental Education Centre in Nova Lima, Brazil, was established in 2000 to increase awareness of socio-environmental matters and reinforce our commitment to sustainable development.
Serra Grande achieves full conversion to filtered tailings
In September 2021, AngloGold Ashanti’s Serra Grande mine became the first mine in Brazil to implement a 100% filtered tailings disposal system. This means that, at the end of ore processing, all the tailings generated go through a drying process after which it is placed in filtered tailings stacks. Wet tailings are no longer sent to the tailings storage facilities.
In-situ water remediation at Geita
AngloGold Ashanti is rolling out a novel in situ water remediation project at its Geita mine in Tanzania, working with a local Tanzanian/German joint venture partner that will use a process where naturally occurring bacteria directly remediates sulphate in groundwater.
Obuasi Mine’s Closure Consultative Committee
The key purpose of the Closure Consultative Committee (CCC) is to track the implementation of the mine’s reclamation plan, ensuring that the completion criteria contained in RSA are met.
![Quebradona Biodiversity Initiative [artist illustration]](https://www.anglogoldashanti.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/quebradona-biodiversity-initiative-768x768.jpg)
Quebradona Biodiversity Initiative
A ground-breaking plan to create and integrate a park and biodiversity centre into its Quebradona copper-gold project, in Colombia’s Antioquia province.
Tailings storage facility management in Brazil
We have engaged with concerned communities to demonstrate the effectiveness of our TSF management systems. In 2019, more the 850 people from our nearby communities participated in visits to TSFs.
Taking action on climate change
A new climate change strategy is crucial to ensure that we insulate our operations and host communities against physical climate risks.