1. Corporate profile
  2. Scope of the report
  3. Governance
  4. From the chairman and CEO
  5. Our sustainability footprint
  6. Sustainable Development Policy
  7. Economic performance
  8. Social performance
  9. Environmental performance
  10. Report of the independent assurer
  11. Reporting in line with GRI
  12. Mining Charter compliance

Social performance

  1. Safety, health and employee well-being
  2. Employment and human rights
  3. Northam in the community
  4. Product responsiblity

Key indicators

  • R12.1 million spent on corporate social investment and local economic development activities

Northam’s community development programme has as its focus the contribution to the social upliftment of communities directly surrounding its operations and communities within major labour sending areas. The primary objectives of Northam’s programme are the sustainable upliftment and development and the economic empowerment of stakeholders.

Management approach

In line with the requirements of the Mining Charter, Northam has identified a number of local economic development projects and commitments to these have been made in the company’s SLPs. Northam ensures that its policies and practices are aligned with those of the local municipalities’ Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) so as to avoid duplication of effort and to address real, identified community needs.

While the SLP for the Zondereinde mine were first submitted to the DMR for consideration in 2006, some changes have had to be incorporated during the review process to meet DMR and community expectations, and as the feasibility of various projects has been tested. The SLP for the Booysendal project has been developed and local economic development projects have been identified. Local economic development issues and compliance with these aspects of the Mining Charter is the responsibility of senior management. Compliance with the Mining Charter is considered to be a priority by the company and compliance is reviewed by the board.

In addition to local economic development, Northam supports a number of projects that do not necessarily fall within the SLP parameters but are considered by the company to be worthy causes.

Performance in 2010

Zondereinde mine is located in a region that is relatively sparsely populated, and in a province with low levels of economic activity. Agriculture, mining and tourism are the primary economic activities in the province and region. Disbursement priorities have been guided by the corporate social investment (CSI) committee, tasked with identifying development priorities in the area and, of course, the SLPs.

The committee, comprising three members of management together with one representative from each of the organised employee representative bodies, convenes on a monthly basis to identify, prioritise and allocate resources towards sustainable projects. These priorities for F2010 were:

  • education;
  • health and welfare; and
  • local economic development, comprising sustainable upliftment, poverty alleviation and employment creation projects.

During F2010, R12.1 million was spent on corporate social investment.

Major local economic development projects supported by Northam
Name of projectDescriptionBenefits received by beneficiaries
Infrastructure development in Majuteng townshipContribution towards tarred road and water drainage system. R8.5 million has been allocated towards this project. Residents of the Majuteng township and the local authorities will benefit.
OR Tambo municipality enterprise developmentContribution towards local economic development of the Eastern Cape – a major labour sending area. R615 000 has been allocated to this project.100 unemployed ex-employees (and their families) of Northam will benefit in the establishment of SMME.
English medium supportPayment for the employment of English medium educators for Thabazimbi primary school and Koedoeskop primary school. R600 000 was allocated to this project.Educators
Grade R-7 learners in a mixed school.
Deo Gloria primary schoolBuilding of three extra classrooms to alleviate overcrowding in classes. R554 000 has been allocated to this project.Regorogile township residents in Thabazimbi will benefit by ensuring that the primary school going pupils will be accommodated.
The Northam life community centreSustainable upliftment and poverty alleviation through job creation and training for agricultural activities. R564 000 was allocated to this project in F2010.25 agricultural jobs were maintained during F2010.
Naletsana combined schoolSupplied 10 computer desktops to accommodate 40 computers.Naletsane pupils will benefit by being computer literate.
Maths and science interventionEducator maths and science intervention.Grade 1-7 and Grade 12 pupils will benefit.
Thabang children place of safety – feeding scheme for 20 kidsSupplying groceries and vegetables on a monthly basis.20 local orphans are fed on a monthly basis.
Thabang children place – building of cold room storageCold room storage for perishables.20 local orphans now have a place to store their food.

 

NORTHAM SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2010