Societal contribution 

Our stakeholders work with our community specialists and operational leaders to design community investment programs that reflect their aspirations and needs and contribute to the social, economic and institutional development of host countries and communities.

Our global community investment program focuses on four areas:

• Education and leadership – supporting lifelong learning and development, nurturing future leaders and promoting equal access to education, with a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics;
• Good health and social wellbeing –supporting community health and social wellbeing and promoting inclusion;
• Economic participation – supporting local employment, sustainable livelihoods and diversified local economies; and
• Natural resource resilience – supporting communities to thrive within their environments, conservation and restoration of the natural environment, and the use of natural resources in responsible and sustainable ways.

No matter where we’re working, we have a rigorous process to understand our communities. We regularly complete and review Social Baseline studies, Social Impact and Opportunity Assessments, Community Perception Surveys and Stakeholder Identification and Analysis to identify and understand who our stakeholders are.

We always aim to build strong, honest and meaningful relationships with local communities, so that we’re ready to listen and act on their needs, wants and concerns.

The mining industry plays a critical role in South Africa’s economic development as a major contributor to the economy, significant employer and attractor of foreign investment.

The Broad-Based Socio-Economic Empowerment Charter for the Mining and Minerals Industry was implemented in 2004 to advance economic transformation and enhance the economic participation of Black People in the South African economy.

South Africa’s transformation imperative aligns to South32’s purpose. We recognise the role that we play in shaping a better future in South Africa through economic transformation and continue to focus on employment equity, Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD), community investment, employment, skills development and local economic development.

Growing and developing small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) is fundamental to the transformation of the South African economy. We collaborate and work with SMMEs on ESD.

Employment is an important way in which we contribute to socio-economic development.

We provide employment opportunities in all countries and jurisdictions where we operate or have a presence. We aim to be an employer of choice, providing an inclusive work environment and competitive remuneration to attract and retain great talent. Our internal human resources tandard guides the management of our people.

Supporting local suppliers helps to develop and strengthen local value chains. We source goods and services within local communities, where possible, and set targets at many of our operations for local business spend that take into consideration legislative requirements.

Our internal supply standard guides the sourcing of nontraded goods and services. 

We are committed to providing genuine access and support to build the capability and capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, to better enable them to work with South32.