07 October 2011
WINNERS OF 2011 NEDBANK CAPITAL GREEN MINING AWARDS ANNOUNCED
The winners of the sixth annual Nedbank Capital Green Mining Awards were announced at an awards presentation held at Nedbank's head office in Sandton last night.
The Awards were launched in 2006 and aim to recognise and celebrate the important contribution that responsible, sustainable and environmentally aware mining and mineral beneficiation make to the economic development of South Africa and Africa.
The winning projects for 2011 are:
- Environmental Category: Anglo American Thermal Coal's Gypsum Housing Project (Joint Winner); BHP Billiton's Turning Employee Benefits Into Company Profits -Ongoye Forest Project (Joint Winner)
- Socio-Economic Category: Anglo American Thermal Coal's HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme (Joint Winner); Kumba Iron Ore Sishen - Mine's UGM Wellness Clinic (Joint Winner)
- Sustainability Category: Kumba Iron Ore - Sishen Mine's Rural Research Project.
The runners-up in the Socio-Economic Category were First Quantum Minerals -Kansanshi Mining Plc's Conservation Farming Project and Anglo American Thermal Coal's Science, Career Guidance and ICT Resources Centre. No awards were made in the Limited Resources Category.
According to the panel of adjudicators, the joint winners in the Environmental Category both demonstrated innovative approaches to addressing different environmental challenges.
"The Gypsum Housing project deals with wastes generated directly from mining activities while the Ongoye Forest project tackles existing environmental degradation. Both projects illustrate how real socio-economic benefits can be derived through implementing creative solutions to environmental issues," the judges said.
In the Socio Economic Category, the judges said the joint winners demonstrated excellence around technical planning, care of people, recognition of parties' interests to solve problems collectively, depth of partnerships and the positive contribution mining can make to address HIV/AIDS prevalence in South Africa.
"The projects both provide excellent illustrations of how the mining industry can rise to the HIV/AIDS challenge," said the judges.
Commenting on the winning entry in the Sustainability Category, the judges said it was an outstanding example of how a mine's long-term needs have been fully aligned with development planning needs at a national, provincial and local level.
"Environmental responsibility, socio-economic development and sustainability are absolutely core to the ongoing success and positive impact of the mining industry in South Africa and throughout Africa," said Peter van Kerckhoven, joint head of Resources Finance at Nedbank Capital, stressing that Nedbank promotes environmental, cultural, social and economic sustainability throughout its operations and activities.
"By taking steps to minimise their environment footprint, uplift communities in the area where they operate, and place a major emphasis on sustainability, many mining companies are taking their corporate responsibility outcomes to a higher level than ever before."
Nedbank was the first African Bank to sign the Equator Principles (an international standard on responsible lending), and became South Africa and Africa's first carbon neutral financial organisation in 2009. It renewed its carbon neutral status in 2010. The bank is continually driving its position as South Africa's caring bank through its commitment to climate change and sustainability initiatives. This will be reiterated through their support of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 17) to be held in Durban from 28 November - 9 December 2011.
Ends
Issued on behalf of: Nedbank
Sizwekazi Jekwa
Senior Communications Manager
011294 1306
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