ESG performance and the SDGs
In conducting our business activities, we are mindful of our impact on host communities and the environment. Our values guide our stakeholder engagement, decision-making and actions in relation to communities and the environment and our related responsibilities. These responsibilities are acknowledged in our five strategic objectives.
A critical aspect in acquiring and maintaining AngloGold Ashanti’s social licence to operate is contributing positively to communities and demonstrating responsible environmental stewardship.
Strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance is critical in maintaining stakeholder confidence and trust, and creating value through the cycle.
Sustainable development goals
AngloGold Ashanti is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Announced in 2015, the SDGs and related targets were set by the United Nations (UN) to support its 2030 Agenda to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all.
Our sustainable development strategy supports our overall business strategy and is aligned with the SDGs. The SDGs also speak to our environment, social and governance (ESG) performance and are aligned with the 10 principles of the ICMM.
Having considered and interrogated the SDGs, we have categorised and prioritised them, based on the extent to which we can contribute to each as follows:
SDGs selected as our main focus
Core to our business and committed to making a positive contribution:
AND WELL-BEING
Those SDGs we directly affect
Not core to our business, but we have a direct impact:
AND COMMUNITIES
Those SDGs we indirectly affect
May be impacted by our activities and may require intervention:
Our performance ratings
- Overall rating: 4.3 out of a total of 5 (up from 4.2 in 2018). This compares favourably with average scores of 2.6 for the gold mining sector, 2.1 for the basic materials industry and 3.5 for South Africa.
- Score by theme:
- Environment = 3.9
- Social = 4.0
- Governance = 5.0
- Economic dimension:– 62 (2018: 64)
– industry average: 41 - Environmental dimension:– 73 (2018:70)
– industry average: 35 - Social dimension:– 73 (2018:66)
– industry average: 33
- Overall GEI* average: 69%
– Materials sector: 67% - Disclosure score: 97%
– Materials sector: 94% - Data Excellence Score: 57%
– Materials sector: 55% - Female leadership and talent pipeline: 30%
– Materials sector: 51% - Equal pay and gender pay parity: 89%
– Materials sector: 67% - Inclusive culture: 39%
– Materials sector: 47% - Sexual harassment policies: 80%
– Materials sector: 69% - Pro-women brand: 75%
– Materials sector: 43%
Our ranking (out of 38 companies) for the six performance areas was as follows:
- Community wellbeing – 2
- Lifecycle management – 3
- Economic development – 3
- Environmental responsibility – 5
- Working conditions – 7
- Business conduct – 11