Sustainability website / Sustainable Development / 4: Communication and Engagement

4: Communication and Engagement

Intent

Effective and timely internal communication and consultation occurs at and between the different levels of the organisation about sustainable development (SD) expectations, risks, performance, leading practice and other issues. Communication and engagement with employees across the Group continuously improves SD awareness, commitment and competency. Proactive communication and engagement occurs with external stakeholders who are concerned with, or affected by, Xstrata's SD performance. Communication is conducted in an equitable and culturally sensitive manner with the maximum transparency that is commercially possible.

Requirements and Expectations

4.1

A system exists and is implemented by appropriately competent and experienced persons to identify and periodically review Xstrata's external stakeholders at each level of the organisation including Group, commodity business, division, site and project.

4.2

Equitable and culturally appropriate processes are implemented and maintained to engage external stakeholders in respect of their SD concerns and expectations with regard to Xstrata's operations, activities and products.

4.3

Xstrata management communicates, engages and consults with employees and external stakeholders in the development, implementation and review of SD requirements and in the identification and assessment of SD risks.

4.4

Relevant SD experience and knowledge is shared across Xstrata sites and with appropriate external stakeholders, including evolving health, safety, environmental and community development knowledge regarding Xstrata's operations, activities and products.

4.5

Effective channels of communication exist to inform all employees and relevant external stakeholders of Xstrata's:

• SD objectives, strategies, plans, targets, requirements and any recent changes to these
• SD performance, risks and other SD matters.

An independently verified Group Sustainability Report that meets international reporting standards is published annually and is supplemented by sustainability reports at a commodity business, division, site or project level as appropriate. Each report communicates with identified stakeholder groups.

4.6

Xstrata communicates and engages with relevant organisations such as governments, authorities, inter- and non-governmental organisations and national and international mining industry associations as appropriate to contribute to the development of SD knowledge, leading practice, public policy, legislation and other initiatives.

4.7

An employee grievance and conflict resolution mechanism is implemented at Group, commodity business, divisional, site and project levels that allows employees and contractors to directly or anonymously raise issues and make complaints with respect to SD performance and management and that includes clear mechanisms for registering, evaluating and resolving all issues and complaints.

4.8

An external stakeholder grievance and conflict resolution mechanism is implemented at  Group, commodity business, divisional, site and project levels that allows external stakeholders to directly or anonymously raise issues and make complaints with respect to SD performance and management and that includes clear mechanisms for registering, evaluating and resolving all issues and complaints.