Trailblazer Ana Milena Vásquez

TIMELINE

Anglo American Plans for Sustainable Change

During, and leading up to, the discussions at COP26, Anglo American has been reporting its sustainability achievements and setting new goals in line with the needs of the industry and, more importantly, the planet. Take a look at the company’s most recent commitments, spurred on by major global changes.

29TH JULY 2021 Donated US$100mn to sustainable causes

The Anglo American Foundation announces its support for empowering women, young people and other vulnerable groups, by donating US$100mn towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.The funding is not limited to social causes and is distributed for environmental change, community health and education.

4TH AUGUST 2021 Collaborates to decarbonise steel production

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Salzgitter Flachstahl, was signed to formally announce their collaborative efforts to decarbonise steelmaking. The companies agreed to research feed materials for use in direct reduction (DR) steelmaking processes using less carbon-intensive methods.

8TH OCTOBER 2021 Collaborates on hydrogen study

The company emphasised its commitment to developing the hydrogen economy, through a feasibility study in collaboration with South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the South African National Development Institute (SANEDI), Engie and Bambili Energy. The study is to assess the opportunity for a hydrogen valley in the Bushveld area.

29TH OCTOBER 2021 Outlined its 2040 emissions goals

Through the release of its 2021 Climate Change Report, Anglo American outlined its commitment to emissions reduction, while providing an update on the company’s progress towards its targets of 100% carbon-neutral in scopes one and two, and the reduction of its emissions in scope three, by the end of 2040.

5TH NOVEMBER 2021 Sets further climate-neutral targets

During the period of COP26, Anglo American set out its aim to reduce freight emissions by 30% as it works towards its carbonneutral goal. The ambitious target goes hand-in-hand with its Sustainable Mining Plan, which confirms the firm’s target of 50% overall emissions reduction in scope three.

ESG Will Become a Staple in Mining Industry

Ana Milena Vásquez, Executive Vice President at Collective Mining

Mining exploration is a service that keeps the industry moving through mapping and surveyance. Organisations like Collective Mining are responsible for supporting mining operations, which in an industry of high demand is crucial for maintaining the supply of minerals and metals. Ana Milena Vásquez is a Colombian national and the Executive Vice President of Collective Mining with more than 15 years in the sector.

Vásquez has tackled various challenges in her career, but her proudest moments were the launches of two companies, which he had been involved in. One of those businesses received an investment of US$70mn for exploration and the other produced 800,000 megatonnes of coal in its first year of operation.

Her previous years in mining were spent at Continental Gold, as the Vice President of External Affairs and Sustainability, as the President of Red Eagle Exploration, Vice President of Operations and Business Development at CB Gold, and General Manager at Carbones del Cesar. Like many talented leaders, Vásquez has experience in other areas of work, such as her previous role in investment banking.

With experience implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, and as an advocate for diversity and inclusion, Vásquez has had ample opportunity to learn more about sustainability and put her knowledge to action in realworld situations.

“In most of these positions I had the opportunity to implement corporate social responsibility programs and best practices in sustainability, while being involved in strategic stakeholder and media engagement,” said Vasquez.

Her current role at Women in Mining (WiM) allows Vásquez to challenge diversity in the mining industry, a historically maledominated industry. She said the

Number of years working in the industry 15