About our reporting

Scope

Our sustainability reporting covers all managed operations - those over which we have direct control and set and implement policy and standards. We also own an interest in several operations where we influence and monitor policy and standards but have no direct management control.

Audience

Our sustainability reports are aimed primarily at existing and prospective shareholders, as well as socially responsible investment analysts and investors. Other audiences include:

• governments
• inter-governmental bodies
• industry organisations
• trade unions
• employees and their families
• communities associated with our operations
• contractors and contracting partners
• development and non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• suppliers
• customers
• joint-venture and business partners
• the media

Scorecards and targets

We include a scorecard showing how we performed against the previous year’s targets and setting targets for the year ahead.

Data

Consolidated data in the report cover all managed operations. We also report limited material data such as critical safety incidents from non-managed operations.

We report complete data totals for managed operations on a 100% basis rather than proportional amounts that are based on the percentage of ownership. All data include continuing operations and data for operations acquired during the year from the date of acquisition unless otherwise stated.

Our data collection system continues to mature and improve, which results in better data accuracy. We strive to report on data trends over time; however, for some metrics this is not possible.

Conversion factors and sources for energy and greenhouse gas emissions data have been independently verified by Environmental Resources Management (ERM). Unless otherwise stated all dollar amounts refer to US dollars.

Defining report content

We apply the principles of inclusivity, materiality and responsiveness to our reporting, and are committed to being accountable to our stakeholders.

We focus our reporting on our material issues - those with the potential to affect the long-term success of our business or the sustainability of the economies, environments and communities in which we operate. We aim to provide a complete and balanced view of our performance that includes challenges as well as successes.

Identifying material issues

To identify the material issues, we review many sources of information, including:

• our Business Principles, Sustainable Development Framework, policies, procedures and audits
• our business risk assessment process results
• feedback on our sustainability performance and reporting
• issues raised by employees, contractors, customers, suppliers, business partners and investors
• communities, NGOs and the media
• key topics and challenges reported by peer companies or raised by industry associations
• key issues covered in the media
• external initiatives and best practice guidelines, including:
  
  
  • The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 guidelines and its Mining and Metals sector supplement
  • The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) SD principles
  • The United Nations Global Compact
  • The Millennium Development Goals
  • The Dow Jones Sustainability Index questionnaire
  • UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  • The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights
  • ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy
  • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

Reporting to external frameworks

We index our sustainability reports against GRI, UN Global Compact Principles and ICMM Principles. We have summarised our progress in meeting the requirements of all three in the following areas:

• strategy and analysis
• organisational profile
• report parameters
• governance, commitments and engagement
• economic indicators
• environmental indicators
• labour practices and decent work
• human rights
• social performance indicators
• product responsibility

This report meets application level A+ of the GRI G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, including the Mining and Metals sector supplement. Like all members of the International Council of Metals and Mining (ICMM), we have committed to the ICMM Sustainable Development Framework.

Our annual Communication on Progress (COP) demonstrates our commitment to the UN Global Compact. Our COP details the progress we have made in implementing the ten principles of the UN Global Compact and our support for broad UN development goals.

Independent assurance

Ernst & Young has independently assured our reported application of the GRI G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, and the AA1000APS principles of materiality, inclusivity and responsiveness. They have also reviewed the alignment of our policies and standards with the ICMM sustainable development principles.