Beyond their production of essential mining products, their importance as an employer, and their fiscal contribution, mining companies are often major development players in the regions where they have operations.
But how to diversify and scale-up their contribution to socioeconomic development in a way that delivers sustainable benefits to host regions, during, and beyond, the life of a mine is a constant challenge.
Far too frequently, interventions by the mining industry have been inconsistent in their approach, too mine-dependent, inadequately financed and lacking scale – leading to under-delivery and limited follow-through.
The role of our Impact Finance Network (IFN)
In endeavouring to address development challenges in many of the mining geographies where Anglo American has operations, a key driver is our IFN.
Since its formation in 2021, the IFN has sought to mobilise third-party impact capital to support long-term sustainable development in the regions where we operate, and in line and closely integrated with our Sustainable Mining Plan.
Many businesses have the potential to grow, scale and deliver positive and sustainable social and environmental impact. Yet entrepreneurs often lack knowledge and experience in preparing their businesses for presentation to potential investors.
At the same time, investors often find it hard to find quality investment opportunities outside of the urban hotspots.
The IFN is able to provide technical assistance to such businesses, helping them become 'investment-ready', matching them with potential investors, and supporting them through the transaction process – while bringing together a network of impact investors seeking social investment opportunities.
