Advancing social and environmental sustainability with UNGC

RESPONSIBLE MINING

ADVANCING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY WITH UNGC

Exxaro Resources recently delivered its United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Communication on Progress (COP) document – which is a requirement to maintain its status on the voluntary leadership platform that focuses on the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible business practices.

The UNGC is a call to companies worldwide to align their operations and strategies with 10 universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anticorruption, and to act in support of UN goals embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Exxaro has been an active signatory to the UNGC since 2007 and every year affirms its commitment in implementing the UNGC principles. In its 2020/21 COP report, Exxaro reiterates in detail its policies and commitments to the principles of human rights, labour, environmental and anti-corruption measures aligned with the SDGs.

The COP report points out that Exxaro features in the latest Vigeo Eiris ranking of the 100 Best Emerging Market Performers for its approach and ongoing dedication to social responsibility. The Vigeo Eiris ranking is updated every six months, in June and December, and the top 100 performers are selected from over 850 companies in 32 sectors of 31 countries.

Exxaro also ranked third in the Transparency and Corporate Reporting: South Africa 2020 report among 100 South African companies under scrutiny for transparency and the implementation of anti-corruption programmes.

“We take our commitment to the UNGC very seriously. As one of thousands of participants of the UNGC across the 160 countries, we are pleased to be part of this growing movement to more conscious environmental and social business practices,” says Mxolisi Mgojo, CEO, Exxaro. “We believe and stand for responsible ways of mining and building inclusive partnerships that benefit from responsible mining activities.

SDGs and socio-economic challenges

“The SDGs are particularly relevant in South Africa with our many socio-economic challenges. We want to be part of the solutions that create a more just and equitable society that meets the needs of all its people. This vision drives our thinking around all issues of sustainability and making a difference in our host communities, where we have mining and renewable energy operations, and the country at large,” says Mgojo.

Exxaro’s ethical principles are embedded in its values, operations, stakeholder engagements, and Sustainable Growth and Impact Strategy, which all align with its endeavours to meet the SDGs. Every aspect of the company is focused on sustainability and corporate responsibility.

Mgojo adds, “We believe that our voluntary participation in the UNGC advances the case for responsible business practices and encourages our stakeholders to do the same.” He concludes that the UNGC holds the company accountable to a global standard “from how we mine to what we mine, as we strive to become a catalyst for economic growth and environmental stewardship”.

Launched in 2000, the UNGC includes more than 9 500 companies and 3 000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries and spanning more than 70 local networks.