Management

We found that we needed a properly structured framework to help ensure that we reach our goal of sustainable development. So we developed a number of policies. These are laid down by our board of directors, apply across the entire organisation and are listed in our booklet The way we work.

These policies are supported by standards, which lay down the minimum acceptable requirements for behaviour or operating conditions.  These standards also apply universally, wherever we operate.  We then put together strategies for reaching the goals of the policies and standards. 

These are in turn backed up by guidance notes that are designed to help us achieve the standards and strategies.  Finally, we use performance indicators to measure how well we have done against the targets that we have set ourselves.

How we intend to reach our goal

We have developed a number of focus areas to help us achieve our goal of leading the sector in sustainable development. These include:

• A sustainable development culture, similar to that already in place on safety.
• Key performance indicators.
• Effective communication.
• Supply chain management.
• Taking account of sustainable development in risk management, long term planning and the 'mine of the future'.

To help explain the concepts of sustainable development, we have introduced training and awareness-raising tools right across our Group.  In addition, we are using another, more detailed programme for managers, based on the e-learning tool, Chronos, developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and Cambridge University in the UK. 

By the end of 2006, more than 700 managers had registered for the programme.