We believe in conducting business with an eye to the needs of the future. That means minimising any negative impacts of our operations on the environment and working with local communities to ensure that they benefit from our activities.
Wind farm turbines at the Anglo American Lisheen zinc and lead mine in Ireland
Climate change and energy
Climate change is a key challenge of our era. We recognise the need to take meaningful action towards addressing its causes, and to help protect our employees, assets, as well as the communities and environments linked to our operations, against its potential impacts.
A return-water dam at Union Mine in South Africa
Water
Water is a vital input to our operations and the security of its supply is of strategic importance both to us and the communities and countries in which we operate.
A restoration project on formerly mined land in Derbyshire, England
Rehabilitation
Our aim is to rehabilitate as much of the affected land as possible during the mine's operational life. This generally results in a better rehabilitation outcome, saves costs in the long run, and reduces our closure liabilities.
The area surrounding Los Bronces Copper Mine in Chile
Land stewardship
Anglo American’s environmental vision is to minimise harm to the environment by designing, operating and closing all of our operations in an environmentally responsible manner.
Egrets nesting at Union Mine's dam in South Africa
Biodiversity
Anglo American owns or has rights to large areas of land on a number of continents. With those rights come responsibilities. This is particularly the case in South Africa and Brazil – nations rich in biodiversity.
Waste rock crushed for road re-surfacing at Landau colliery
Waste management
Our mining operations inevitably generate mineral waste, such as rock and tailings, and non-mineral waste such as general and industrial waste. Considerably less non-mineral waste is produced on our operations now than before.
Using dust suppression sprays is a way to improve air quality
Air quality
Managing air quality is essential to the way we do business. Due to the nature of our business, there is potential for Anglo American to generate gaseous and particulate pollution during our operations, which could have a negative impact on local, regional and global air quality.
Bird life at our coal operation in Colombia
Materials stewardship
The International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM) defines materials stewardship as ‘the responsible provision of materials and supervision of material flows towards the creation of maximum societal value and minimum impact on man and the environment’.
