JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – BHP Billiton spin-off South32 has successfully joined the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), a move that is expected to deliver long-term benefits for the new globally diversified metals and mining company and its stakeholders.
An independent expert review panel had recommended South32 for membership following a five-stage process scrutinising the company’s capacity to fully adhere to ICMM standards of responsible social and environmental performance in mining and metals operations.
“We are delighted to join ICMM, especially at this early stage in the company’s life. South32 is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our people and delivering shared value for society. We aim to be a business that lives by its values – care, trust, togetherness and excellence,” CEO Graham Kerr said on Tuesday.
“The ICMM is an important forum for the engagement and advocacy that is required to build a sustainable future for South32,” he added.
Following its unbundling from Billiton in May, South32 secured a portfolio of high-quality assets producing alumina, aluminium, bauxite, thermal and metallurgical coal, manganese, nickel, silver, lead and zinc, along with “a proud heritage” of responsible social and environmental performance.
“The leadership of the new company has been engaged in the rigorous ICMM admission process since launching plans to demerge. The commitment of South32 to the principles of ICMM is anchored in the benefit of adopting many of the systems and processes that it inherits from BHP Billiton to make a strong and broad contribution to society,” ICMM chairperson and Anglo American CEO Mark Cutifani commented.