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Modern Slavery

Respecting human rights and managing the risks of modern slavery across our operations and supply chains is not only the right thing to do, it is fundamental to the way we do business.

We recognise that modern slavery remains a global issue affecting people in countries across every region. Those most vulnerable to modern slavery include women, children, migrants and refugees, ethnic and religious minorities, and those who may be fleeing war and conflict.

In the mining and metals sector, as well as the supply chains that support it, modern slavery risks vary across operations and commodities.

Our focus areas

Due diligence

Conducting ongoing due diligence to help us identify, prevent, mitigate and account for how we address any involvement in modern slavery risks across our operations, projects and business relationships.

network

Driving integrity

We expect our people, our suppliers and our customers to comply with lawful business practices and applicable South32 policies, standards, procedures and processes.

sust agreement

Contractor management

Participating in relevant collaborative opportunities and memberships to enhance our approach managing modern slavery risks.

Health and hygiene management

Assessing the effectiveness of our programs for managing modern slavery risks in our operations and supply chain.

sustainability

Maritime activities

Respecting the rights of seafarers in the shipping industry.

Our performance

We track the effectiveness of our processes to continually improve our approach, and publicly report our progress.

You will find more information in our Modern Slavery Statement 2025 and Sustainability Databook 2025.

FY25 snapshot

    480+

    employees and supplier entities received modern slavery training

    10,263

    suppliers assessed by South32 through desktop risk profiles

    4

    modern slavery audits conducted on vessels

    Our approach

    Our approach to managing the risks of modern slavery in our operations and supply chains is guided by the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

    Our approach and activities to manage these risks are detailed in our annual Modern Slavery Statement, prepared in response to the Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) and the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.

    Our teams play a critical role in helping us address and manage our modern slavery risk:

    Social performanceExpandCollapse

    Our Social Performance team leads and facilitates the implementation of our modern slavery response in collaboration with our Operations, Supply and Marketing teams.

    It works to drive meaningful change by identifying and implementing our human rights and modern slavery approaches, developing and delivering training modules, developing modern slavery reporting, and partnering with various teams to integrate modern slavery-related risk management priorities into daily operations. Social Performance facilitates the Modern Slavery Working Group.

    Learn more in our Modern Slavery Statement 2025.

    SupplyExpandCollapse

    Our Supply team collaborates closely with the Social Performance team to lead and facilitate the implementation of our modern slavery response in our supply chains.

    It supports the business in conducting transparent and effective sourcing processes, evaluating supplier practices and taking steps to align commercial and business objectives with our values and our Code.

    Supply also provides dedicated support and guidance to our operations and functions on contract management, sustainable procurement and supplier management.

    Learn more in our Modern Slavery Statement 2025.

    MarketingExpandCollapse

    Our Marketing team collaborates closely with the Social Performance team to lead and facilitate the implementation of our modern slavery response.

    It assesses whether customers and suppliers of traded goods align with our ethical business practice requirements. Our Freight team, a part of Marketing, leads the procurement of charter vessels to support our operations (inbound) and deliver our commodities (outbound).

    Business Integrity and LegalExpandCollapse

    Our Business Integrity team leads, designs and executes our ethical business practices policies and compliance programs, including those that address the risk of modern slavery.

    Our Legal team provides legal support for our response to modern slavery.

    Learn more about our corporate governance practices at Corporate governance.

    People, Risk and External AffairsExpandCollapse

    Our People and Culture team is responsible for the development and implementation of our People and Culture policies, procedures and practices, that align with our commitment to ethical business practices.

    Our Risk Stewardship team oversees the execution of the risk management framework, including the management of risks relating to modern slavery.

    Our External Affairs teams at each operation are responsible for the facilitation of human rights due diligence, which includes the review of labour rights-related risks, including modern slavery.

    Supplier questionnaire to help end modern slavery

    Supplier questionnaire to help end modern slavery

    We have joined forces with various mining, energy and resource companies to develop a practical questionnaire to pre-screen for modern slavery risks within supply chains:

    The self-assessment questionnaire, with 18 core questions, will assist the supplier and South32 to identify modern slavery risks, improve transparency and identify areas for further due diligence.

    This initiative recognises that suppliers are facing growing information requests due to modern slavery laws in Australia and the UK. By asking a common set of questions, this will streamline reporting, provide consistency and clarity.