Reporting in line with GRI

The following table presents the GRI content index in line with the G4 guidelines, including GRI’s G4 Mining and Metals Sector Supplement (MMSS), to which Northam has reported ‘in accordance’ with the Core option.

G4 places greater emphasis on the importance of materiality and improves the level of harmonisation with other reporting standards.

External assurance of sustainability reporting was provided by Ernst & Young Inc. Data indicators were selected for assurance on the basis of the company’s assessment of the issues and indicators that are most significant to the sustainability performance of the business.

Data which has been externally assured is indicated in the GRI content index below. Ernst & Young Inc.’s sustainability assurance statement can be found under Sustainability assurance report.

General standard disclosures

		Section and page number	Reporting level	External assurance
Strategy and analysis
G4–1	Provide a statement from the most senior decision-maker of the organisation (such as CEO, chair, or equivalent senior position) about the relevance of sustainability to the organisation and the organisation’s strategy for addressing sustainability	Chairman’s statement Chief executive’s review	Fully	Assured
G4-2	Provide a description of key impacts	Managing material risk and opportunities	Fully	Assured
Organisational profile
G4-3	Report the name of the organisation	Northam Platinum Limited	Fully	Assured
G4-4	Report the primary brands, products, and services	Corporate profile	Fully	Assured
G4-5	Report the location of the organisation’s headquarters	Administration and contact information	Fully	Assured
G4-6	Report the number of countries where the organisation operates, and names of countries where either the organisation has significant operations or that are specifically relevant to the sustainability topics covered in the report	Northam Platinum Limited and the Bushveld Complex Corporate profile	Fully	Assured
G4-7	Report the nature of ownership and legal form	Corporate profile	Fully	Assured
G4-8	Report the markets served (including geographic breakdown, sectors served, and types of customers and beneficiaries)	Corporate profile	Fully	Assured
G4-9	Report the scale of the organisation, including: Total number of employees Total number of operations Net sales (for private sector organisations) or net revenues (for public sector organisations) Total capitalisation broken down in terms of debt and equity (for private sector organisations) Quantity of products or services provided	Business model Five-year review: Sustainability	Fully	Assured
G4-10	Report the composition of the workforce, including: Report the total number of employees by employment contract and gender. Report the total number of permanent employees by employment type and gender. Report the total workforce by employees and supervised workers and by gender. Report the total workforce by region and gender. Report whether a substantial portion of the organisation’s work is performed by workers who are legally recognised as self-employed, or by individuals other than employees or supervised workers, including employees and supervised employees of contractors. Report any significant variations in employment numbers (such as seasonal variations in employment in the tourism or agricultural industries)	Five-year review: Sustainability Material issue 4: Value for stakeholders	Partially	Assured
G4-11	Report the percentage of total employees covered by collective bargaining agreements	Report of the social, ethics and human resources committee Material issue 3: Communication channels	Fully	Assured
G4-12	Describe the organisation’s supply chain	Material issue 4: Value for stakeholders	Fully	Assured
G4-13	Report any significant changes during the reporting period regarding the organisation’s size, structure, ownership, or its supply chain, including: Changes in the location of, or changes in, operations, including facility openings, closings, and expansions Changes in the share capital structure and other capital formation, maintenance, and alteration operations (for private sector organisations) Changes in the location of suppliers, the structure of the supply chain, or in relationships with suppliers, including selection and termination	Corporate profile Corporate profile Chief financial officer’s review		Assured
G4-14	Report whether and how the precautionary approach or principle is addressed by the organisation	Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Assured
G4-15	List externally developed economic, environmental and social charters, principles, or other initiatives to which the organisation subscribes or which it endorses	Corporate governance report www.cdp.net The South African mining industry, including Northam, is governed by various laws, codes and guidance initiatives. These include: MPRDA NEMA Employment equity act National water act Mining Charter ILO SAMREC Voluntary codes Northam subscribes to include: GRI CDP SRI MHSC targets Framework agreement on a sustainable mining industry Framework for peace and stability in the mining industry	Fully	Assured
G4-16	List memberships of associations (such as industry associations) and national or international advocacy organisations in which the organisation: Holds a position on the governance body Participates in projects or committees Provides substantive funding beyond routine membership dues Views membership as strategic	Corporate governance report As a South African mining company, Northam is a member of the Chamber of Mines which is an industry association responsible for representing the interests of the mining industry.	Fully	Assured
Identified material aspects and boundaries
G4-17	List all entities included in the organisation’s consolidated financial statements or equivalent documents Report whether any entity included in the organisation’s consolidated financial statements or equivalent documents is not covered by the report	Approval of annual financial statements and company secretary’s confirmation	Fully	Assured
G4-18	Explain the process for defining the report content and the aspect boundaries Explain how the organisation has implemented the reporting principles for defining report content	Scope	Fully	Assured
G4-19	List all the material Aspects identified in the process for defining report content	Business model Our material issues	Fully	Assured
G4-20	For each material Aspect, report the Aspect Boundary within the organisation, as follows: Report whether the Aspect is material within the organisation If the Aspect is not material for all entities within the organisation (as described in G4-17), select one of the following two approaches and report either: The list of entities or groups of entities included in G4-17 for which the Aspect is not material or The list of entities or groups of entities included in G4-17 for which the Aspects is material Report any specific limitation regarding the Aspect Boundary within the organisation	Material issue 1: Business strategy Material issue 2: Safe workplaces Material issue 3: Communication channels Material issue 4: Value for stakeholders Material issue 5: Compliance Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Assured
G4-21	For each material Aspect, report the Aspect Boundary outside the organisation, as follows: Report whether the Aspect is material outside of the organisation If the Aspect is material outside of the organisation, identify the entities, groups of entities or elements for which the Aspect is material. In addition, describe the geographical location where the Aspect is material for the entities identified Report any specific limitation regarding the Aspect Boundary outside the organisation	Material issue 1: Business strategy Material issue 2: Safe workplaces Material issue 3: Communication channels Material issue 4: Value for stakeholders Material issue 5: Compliance Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Partially	Assured
G4-22	Report the effect of any restatements of information provided in previous reports, and the reasons for such restatements	Scope	Fully	Assured
G4-23	Report significant changes from previous reporting periods in the scope and aspect boundaries	Scope	Fully	Assured
Stakeholder engagement
G4-24	Provide a list of stakeholder groups engaged by the organisation	Stakeholder engagement	Fully	Assured
G4-25	Report the basis for identification and selection of stakeholders with whom to engage	Stakeholder engagement		Assured
G4-26	Report the organisation’s approach to stakeholder engagement, including frequency of engagement by type and by stakeholder group, and give an indication as to whether any of the engagement was undertaken specifically as part of the report preparation process	Stakeholder engagement Material issue 3: Communication channels	Fully	Assured
G4-27	Report key topics and concerns raised through stakeholder engagement, and how the organisation has responded to those key topics and concerns, including through its reporting. Report the stakeholder groups that raised each of the key topics and concerns	Report of the social, ethics and human resources committee Stakeholder engagement Material issue 3: Communication channels	Fully	Assured
Report profile
G4-28	Reporting period (such as fiscal or calendar year) for information provided	Scope	Fully	Assured
G4-29	Date of most recent previous report (if any)	2014, annual reporting cycle	Fully	Assured
G4-30	Reporting cycle (such as annual, biennial)	Scope	Fully	Assured
G4-31	Provide the contact point for questions regarding the report or its contents	Administration and contact information	Fully	Assured
G4-32	In accordance’ option: Report the ‘in accordance’ option the organisation has chosen. Report the GRI Content Index for the chosen option. Report the reference to the External Assurance Report, if the report has been externally assured. GRI recommends the use of external assurance but it is not a requirement to be ‘in accordance’ with the Guidelines	This page Sustainability assurance report	Fully	Assured
G4-33	Assurance: Report the organisation’s policy and current practice with regard to seeking external assurance for the report. If not included in the assurance report accompanying the sustainability report, report the scope and basis of any external assurance provided. Report the relationship between the organisation and the assurance providers. Report whether the highest governance body or senior executives are involved in seeking assurance for the organisation’s sustainability report.	Scope This page Sustainability assurance report	Fully	Assured
Governance
Governance structure and composition
G4-34	Report the governance structure of the organisation, including committees of the highest governance body. Identify any committees responsible for decision-making on economic, environmental and social impacts.	Corporate governance report	Fully	Assured
G4-36	Report whether the organisation has appointed an executive-level position or positions with responsibility for economic, environmental and social topics, and whether post-holders report directly to the highest governance body.	Corporate governance report The chief executive takes ultimate responsibility for matters relating to the sustainability at the business.	Fully	Assured
G4-38	Report the composition of the highest governance body and its committees by: Executive or non-executive Independence Tenure on the governance body Number of each individual’s other significant positions and commitments, and the nature of the commitments Gender Membership of under-represented social groups Competences relating to economic, environmental and social impacts Competences relating to economic, environmental and social impacts Stakeholder representation	Directorate Corporate governance report		Assured
G4-39	Report whether the Chair of the highest governance body is also an executive officer (and, if so, his or her function within the organisation’s management and the reasons for this arrangement).	Directorate Corporate governance report	Fully	Assured
G4-41	Report processes for the highest governance body to ensure conflicts of interest are avoided and managed. Report whether conflicts of interest are disclosed to stakeholders, including, as a minimum: Cross-board membership Cross-shareholding with suppliers and other stakeholders Existence of controlling shareholder Related party disclosures	Corporate governance report	Fully	Assured
G4-47	Report the frequency of the highest governance body’s review of economic, environmental and social impacts, risks, and opportunities.	Corporate governance report Report of the social, ethics and human resources committee	Fully	Assured
Highest governance body’s role in sustainability reporting
G4-48	Report the highest committee or position that formally reviews and approves the organisation’s sustainability report and ensures that all material aspects are covered	Corporate governance report	Fully	Assured
Remuneration and incentives
G4-51	Report the remuneration policies for the highest governance body and senior executives for the types of remuneration below: Fixed pay and variable pay: Performance-based pay Equity-based pay Bonuses Deferred or vested shares Sign-on bonuses or recruitment incentive payments Termination payments Clawbacks Retirement benefits, including the difference between benefit schemes and contribution rates for the highest governance body, senior executives, and all other employees Report how performance criteria in the remuneration policy relate to the highest governance body’s and senior executives’ economic, environmental and social objectives	Report of the social, ethics and human resources committee	Fully	Assured
G4-52	Report the process for determining remuneration. Report whether remuneration consultants are involved in determining remuneration and whether they are independent of management. Report any other relationships which the remuneration consultants have with the organisation.	Report of the social, ethics and human resources committee	Fully	Assured
Ethics and Integrity
G4-56	Describe the organisation’s values, principles, standards and norms of behaviour such as codes of conduct and codes of ethics	Corporate governance report Report of the social, ethics and human resources committee Material issue 3: Communication channels www.northam.co.za/governance/policies-and-procedures	Fully	Assured
G4-57	Report the internal and external mechanisms for seeking advice on ethical and lawful behaviour, and matters related to organisational integrity, such as helplines or advice lines	Corporate governance report Material issue 3: Communication channels	Fully	Assured
G4-58	Report the internal and external mechanisms for reporting concerns about unethical or unlawful behaviour, and matters related to organisational integrity, such as escalation through line management, whistleblowing mechanisms or hotlines	Corporate governance report Material issue 3: Communication channels	Fully	Assured

SPECIFIC STANDARD DISCLOSURES

DMA and indicators		Section heading and page number	Reporting level	External assurance
CATEGORY: ECONOMIC
Material aspect: Economic performance
G4-EC1	Direct economic value generated and distributed	Business model Our material issues Key features F2015 Material issue 4: Value for stakeholders	Fully	Assured
G4-EC2	Financial implications and other risks and opportunities for the organisation’s activities due to climate change	Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship Carbon Disclosure Project Report www.cdp.net	Partially, total financial data has not been collated for F2015 although savings related to specific projects and risks and opportunities are discussed in the carbon disclosure report	Not assured
G4-EC4	Financial assistance received from government	Material issue 4: Value for stakeholders	Fully	Not assured
Material aspect: Indirect economic impacts
G4-EC7	Development and impact of infrastructure investments and services supported	Material issue 4: Value for stakeholders	Fully	Limited assurance
G4-EC8	Significant indirect economic impacts, including the extent of impacts	Material issue 1: Business strategy Material issue 4: Value for stakeholders	Fully	Not assured
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENTAL
Material aspect: Materials
G4-EN1	Materials used by weight or volume	Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Limited assurance
G4-EN2	Percentage of materials used that are recycled input materials	Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully, figures are not reported in percentages	Limited assurance
Material aspect: Energy
G4-EN3	Direct energy consumption	Business model Five-year review: Sustainability Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Limited assurance
G4-EN5	Energy intensity	Business model Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Not assured
G4-EN6	Reduction of energy consumption	Business model Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Assured
Material aspect: Water
G4-EN8	Total water withdrawal by source	Business model Five-year review: Sustainability Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Not assured
G4-EN10	Percentage and total volume of water recycled and reused	Five-year review: Sustainability Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Assured
Material aspect: Biodiversity
G4-EN11	Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas	Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Not assured
G4-EN12	Description of significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity in protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas	Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Not assured
MM1	Amount of land (owned or leased, and managed for production activities or extractive use) disturbed or rehabilitated	Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Not assured
Material aspect: Emissions
G4-EN15	Direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 1)	Five-year review: Sustainability Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship Carbon Disclosure Project Report www.cdp.net	Fully	Limited assurance
G4-EN16	Energy indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 2)	Five-year review: Sustainability Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship Carbon Disclosure Project Report www.cdp.net	Fully	Limited assurance
G4-EN17	Other indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) Emissions (Scope 3)	Five-year review: Sustainability Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship Carbon Disclosure Project Report www.cdp.net	Fully	Not assured
G4-EN20	Emissions of ozone depleting substances	Business model Five-year review: Sustainability Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Limited assurance on SO₂
Material aspect: Effluents and waste
G4-EN22	Total water discharge by quality and destination	Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Partially, Northam has a “no release” policy. Discharges may be logged as environmental incidents depending on severity	Assured
Material aspect: Compliance
G4-EN29	Monetary value of significant fines and total number of non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations	Material issue 5: Compliance Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Assured
Material aspect: Environmental grievance mechanisms
G4-EN34	Monetary value of significant fines and total number of nonmonetary sanctions for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations	Material issue 5: Compliance Material issue 6: Environmental stewardship	Fully	Not assured
CATEGORY: SOCIAL
Sub-category: Labour practices and decent work
Material aspect: Employment
G4-LA1	Total number and rates of new employee hires and employee turnover by age group, gender, and region;	Material issue 4: Value for stakeholders	Partially, turnover by age group or gender is not collated and therefore not available	Not assured
Material aspect: Labour/management relations
G4-LA4	Percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements	Report of the social, ethics and human resources committee Material issue 3: Communication channels	Fully	Limited assurance
MM4	Number of strikes and lock-outs exceeding one week’s duration, by country	Material issue 3: Communication channels	Fully	Limited assurance
Material aspect: Occupational health and safety
G4-LA5	Percentage of total workforce represented in formal joint management-worker health and safety committees that help monitor and advise on occupational health and safety programmes	Managing material risk and opportunities	Fully, the figure is not reported as a percentage	Assured
G4-LA6	Type of injury and rates of injury, occupational diseases, lost days, and absenteeism, and total number of work related fatalities, by region and by gender	Business model Five-year review: Sustainability Material issue 2: Safe workplaces	Partially, information on absenteeism is not available	Limited assurance
Material aspect: Diversity and equal opportunity
G4-LA12	Composition of governance bodies and breakdown of employees per employee category according to gender, age group, minority group membership, and other indicators of diversity	Corporate governance report Managing material risk and opportunities Material issue 4: Value for stakeholders Five-year review: Sustainability	Fully, a breakdown of employees by age group is not available. A more critical measure in South Africa specifically, is the percentage of historically disadvantaged South Africans (HDSAs) in management roles and women in mining, which we have reported	Limited assurance
Material aspect: Labour practices grievance mechanisms
G4-LA16	Number of grievances about labour practices filed, addressed, and resolved through formal grievance mechanisms	Material issue 4: Value for stakeholders	Fully	Limited assurance
Sub-category: Human rights
Material aspect: Freedom of association and collective bargaining
G4-HR4	Operations and suppliers identified in which the right to exercise freedom of association and collective bargaining may be violated or at significant risk, and measures taken to support these rights	Managing material risk and opportunities Stakeholder engagement Material issue 3: Communication channels Material issue 4: Value for stakeholders	Fully	Not assured
Material aspect: Child labour
G4-HR5	Operations and suppliers identified as having significant risk for incidents of child labour, and measures taken to contribute to the effective abolition of child labour	No incidents occurred	Partially, Northam upholds the basic labour rights of the Fundamental Rights Convention of the ILO and in legislation, regulations and practices of South Africa. The company does not employ child labour, nor does it employ workers younger than 18 years of age as all prospective employees are screened in terms of Northam’s employment policies and procedures	Not assured
Material aspect: Forced or compulsory labour
G4-HR6	Operations and suppliers identified as having significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labour, and measures to contribute to the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour	No incidents occurred	Fully	Not assured
Sub-category: Society
Material aspect: Anti-corruption
G4-SO3	Percentage of operations with implemented local community engagement, impact assessments, and development programmes	Managing material risk and opportunities	Fully	Not assured
G4-SO5	Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken	Whistle blowers are protected in accordance with the provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act, No 26 of 2000, these incidents cannot be disclosed	Fully	Not assured

General standard disclosures

Governance structure and composition

Highest governance body’s role in sustainability reporting

Remuneration and incentives

Ethics and Integrity

SPECIFIC STANDARD DISCLOSURES

Material aspect: Economic performance

Material aspect: Indirect economic impacts

Material aspect: Materials

Material aspect: Energy

Material aspect: Water

Material aspect: Biodiversity

Material aspect: Emissions

Material aspect: Effluents and waste

Material aspect: Compliance

Material aspect: Environmental grievance mechanisms

Material aspect: Employment

Material aspect: Labour/management relations

Material aspect: Occupational health and safety

Material aspect: Diversity and equal opportunity

Material aspect: Labour practices grievance mechanisms

Material aspect: Freedom of association and collective bargaining

Material aspect: Child labour

Material aspect: Forced or compulsory labour

Material aspect: Anti-corruption