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Communities
Understanding that each of our operations exists within a broader social and economic context, we seek to enhance the environmental, social and economic wellbeing and resilience of the communities, societies and countries in which we operate.
Understanding that each of our operations exists within a broader social and economic context, we seek to enhance the environmental, social and economic wellbeing and resilience of the communities, societies and countries in which we operate.
Supporting community resilience
We understand the influential role that mining companies can play in the development of local communities and their supporting economies and strive as far as possible to nurture harmonious relationships with host communities.
This is especially important in the context of the complex and diverse environments where we operate. The socio-economic issues most prevalent in our host communities include unemployment, low economic growth, inadequate infrastructure and lack of access to services including healthcare and education. Communities also have concerns about food and water security.
In framing our approach to social contribution, we are guided by a set of management standards that outline the philosophy, scope and application of our community development initiatives. Focus areas include:
- Enterprise and supplier development
- Localisation of employment and procurement opportunities
- Infrastructure development
- Public health initiatives
- Education and skills development
Performance in 2024
Community investment ($m)
Community incidents (number)
Community investment spend focus areas (2024)(%)
Policies and standards
Empowering communities
- Management Standard: Community Incident English, pdf
- Management Standard: Indigenous People English, pdf
- Management Standard: Land Access and Resettlement English, pdf
- Management Standard: Socioeconomic Contribution English, pdf
- Management Standard: Stakeholder engagement English, pdf
- Management Standard: Community Complaints and Grievances English, pdf
- Management Standard: Cultural Heritage and Sacred Sites English, pdf
- Group Policy: Sustainability English, pdf Español, pdf Português, pdf Français, pdf Arabic, pdf
Human rights
- Group policy: Asset Security and Value Protection English, pdf Español, pdf Português, pdf Français, pdf Arabic, pdf
- Group Policy: Health, Safety and Security English, pdf Español, pdf Português, pdf Français, pdf Arabic, pdf
- Group standard: Human Rights English, pdf Español, pdf Português, pdf Français, pdf
- Group Standard: Security English, pdf Español, pdf Português, pdf Français, pdf
- Management Standard: Voluntary Principles on Security & Human Rights English, pdf
For further information, refer to the Sustainability report 2024: Supporting community resilience and the rights of indigenous peoples
The rights of indigenous peoples
We respect the rights and interests of indigenous peoples and communities where we operate. Recognising their traditional knowledge and deep connection to the environment and respecting their values and traditions, we strive to promote local and indigenous cultures and support their socio-economic development.
Our approach is mandated by our Social Management Standard Framework, which is inclusive of the standards on human rights, indigenous peoples, cultural heritage and sacred sites management. Our standards are in line with the aims of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the IFC’s Performance Standard #7 on Indigenous Peoples.
As a signatory to the principles of the ICMM, we support and promote the importance of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) in all engagements with indigenous stakeholders.
Our standard on cultural heritage and sacred sites supports our undertaking to uphold the rights of indigenous peoples through the preservation and maintenance of land that has cultural significance.
For further information, refer to the Sustainability report 2024: Supporting community resilience and the rights of indigenous peoples
Human rights and security
Prioritising inclusive, transparent and accountable production ensures that we are able to safeguard our people and assets while honouring the rights of individuals working at, and those associated with, our operations.
The challenges faced across our operations remain complex, with heightened risks stemming from political instability, poverty, inequality, terrorism, and the rise of artisanal and small-scale (ASM) and illegal mining activities. The success of our business is linked to the security and prosperity of the areas in which we operate.
Our approach is primarily informed by the UNGPs on Business and Human Rights, the current leading standard. The UNGPs framework of protect, respect, remedy places the responsibility of monitoring, upholding and managing our human rights impacts as a business, no matter where we operate.
Our Human Rights Governance Framework is supported by policies on sustainability, health, safety and security, and people, all of which are aligned with the UNGPs and all our memberships, associations and voluntary commitments.
AngloGold Ashanti does not tolerate rights abuses in any form, and it is paramount that our employees, contractors and supply chain understand what must be done to protect human rights and what steps must be taken to remedy any violations. We are committed to maintaining an accessible grievance mechanism to receive concerns and grievances from our employees, communities, suppliers, partners and associates, including through our Speak-up channels. Site-specific grievance processes exist for employees and communities to report concerns related to human rights infringements, among other matters. These mechanisms are guided by our management standards on Complaints and Grievances and Community Incident Management, both of which are aligned with the IFC guidance and the UNGPs.
All security personnel deployed on our sites are required to undergo thorough induction in the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR). We favour dialogue as a dispute resolution mechanism and seek to create the conditions necessary for a peaceful resolution.
For further information, refer to Sustainability Report 2024: Human rights and security
Human Rights Framework
These five pillars of our Human Rights Framework guide us in the work we do to respect human rights across every aspect of our business.
Risk
management
Human rights risks are integrated into our broader risk management process to help to ensure that sustainability risks are properly represented and managed. We understand that human rights risks relate to the rights of all human beings to being treated with dignity, without discrimination, whatever their nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language or other status.
Training and
communications
Ensure that all employees, contractors, supply chain and communities have an understanding of AngloGold Ashanti’s commitment to respecting human rights, and key messages across Group, business unit and operational levels must be advocated and supported by all.
Grievance
mechanisms
Aligned to international norms and standards, our AngloGold Ashanti grievance mechanism standards and procedures are central to the HuRi Framework. All aspects of our work are continuously monitored and refined to ensure respect for human rights and all reasonable and fair access to redress/remedy is provided.
Supply
chain
Tangible steps to guard against and eliminate issues related to human rights impacts and modern slavery in our supply chain forms an integral part of our firm commitment to respect human rights.
Engagement
An integrated, inclusive stakeholder engagement process (internal and external) across the project lifecycle is a cornerstone of the HuRi framework, to help to ensure all potential human rights risks are identified and appropriately addressed.
Related stories
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In September 2024, AngloGold Ashanti announced a R87.5m comprehensive scholarship project with the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, South Africa where approximately 200 eligible students from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds will benefit from over the next five to seven years.
AngloGold Ashanti Brazil celebrates 190 years by giving back to Nova Lima
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AngloGold Ashanti Brazil is committed to fostering community development and empowering individuals – a purpose that aligns with our development goals, to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise global partnership for sustainable development. In 2024, our Sustainable Partnerships Programme (SPP) showcased the power of collaboration in driving meaningful impact across communities.
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At AngloGold Ashanti’s Quebradona project in Colombia, Comfenalco Antioquia and the Pro Jericó Foundation came together at the end of 2020 to offer soft loans to entrepreneurs and small business owners. The project is called the Productive Transformation Fund and is designed to support the launch and growth of small businesses.
COVID-19 education campaign
Throughout 2020, AngloGold Ashanti rolled out COVID-19 awareness campaigns across its operations. In partnership with a communications agency, we developed a collection of social-media friendly material in an easily accessible format that was distributed at our operations and in communities and schools.
Covid-19 response: Supporting employees and communities in Brazil
Making sure work environments were safe for employees in the face of COVID-19, was just one aspect of AngloGold Ashanti’s response to the pandemic. This video outlines the humanitarian support provided to hospitals and social partners in an effort to fight COVID-19.
Our enduring legacy in South Africa
In October 2020, our South African operations transitioned to a new future with Harmony Gold. Founded in 1998, with roots reaching back to the development of South Africa’s goldfields, AngloGold Ashanti’s operations have contributed significantly to South Africa’s socio-economic development and its people over the past two decades.
The Market Garden Project in Siguiri empowers local women
In 2013, Siguiri mine conducted a socio-economic baseline study on Block 1 of its concession. Findings revealed that the host communities have large tracts of wetland conducive for agriculture. However, these agricultural lands were used only in a marginal way by a tiny proportion of the population due to the high prevalence of artisanal mining.
Aqua culture project in Iduapriem to boost local fish farming industry
At AngloGold Ashanti, it is our aim to contribute to resilient, self-sustaining communities. One of the ways in which we do so at our Iduapriem mine is by developing the local fish farming industry as an alternative and sustainable source of livelihood for communities.