New Report Highlights Benefits of De Beers’ Partnerships
De Beers Group has launched its 11th Report to Society, showcasing its progress on ‘doing the right thing’ in its worldwide operations.
The 56-page sustainability report, published today, stresses that doing the right thing has long been an imperative for De Beers Group, not least because being a good corporate citizen brings all-round socio-economic benefits.
Four main topics – Society, Confidence, People and Environment – turn the spotlight on the main aspects of the company’s operations across the world, and its environmental stewardship.
Lit up by some stunning photography, the Report reflects on how 2016 was a year defined by partnerships for De Beers Group, and gives examples of how it has worked with host countries and communities across the world.
For example, the company signed its longest-ever sales agreement with the Government of the Republic of Namibia, celebrated the role of diamonds in supporting Botswana in the 50 years since its independence, and unveiled the world’s largest new diamond mine in 13 years in Canada (Gahcho Kué) in collaboration with Mountain Province Diamonds.
And, through working in partnership in 2016, the Group returned US$5 billion in payments and dividends to its stakeholders – and supported more than 640 jobs and 120 businesses through enterprise development programmes in southern Africa.
Bruce Cleaver, CEO of De Beers Group, says in his introduction to the Report: “We continue to generate value for the societies around us and will leave behind far-reaching benefits that will continue to be realised long after our mines close.”
The Report to Society also highlights the Group’s pioneering HIV/AIDS programme, which has brought about a big reduction in the number of employees dying from the disease, and spells out how it manages 164,000 hectares of land for conservation – that’s five times the area affected by its mining.
Mark Cutifani, Chairman of De Beers Group and Chief Executive of Anglo American, De Beers Group’s parent, adds in his introduction: “It is undeniable that mining leaves behind a social and environmental footprint. We have to ensure the socio-economic benefits from what we do have a sustainable impact and are a catalyst for growth and national benefit.”
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