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Environment
AngloGold's long-term business success depends on finding a balance between mineral development and the conservation of the natural and social environments in which the company operates. In the planning, design and operation of its business the company is mindful of its commitment to sustainable development. AngloGold strives to meet these challenges in all its operations around the globe.
During the year:
AngloGold appointed an executive officer for the environment, reporting directly to the CEO, reflecting AngloGold's commitment to cultivating a corporate culture of continually improving environmental performance, fulfilling the company's role as a responsible corporate citizen and providing environmental leadership.
Africa
An annual external environmental audit confirmed that the Sadiola mine complied with the commitments made in the 1994 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and its Environmental Management System (EMS).
An EIA was completed for the Yatela project and construction is taking place in line with strict environmental criteria.
At AngloGold's new Morila project, a site-wide environmental monitoring programme is being implemented to comply with the commitments made in the EIA.
Australasia
Following the acquisition of Acacia Resources in January, AngloGold has continued its commitment to the Australian Minerals Industry Code for Environmental Management.
A thorough audit of cyanide management in the Australian operations was conducted and further improvements have been made to the management systems.
North America
Permits for expanded mining at the Cripple Creek operation, which will double the leach pad capacity, were granted in August with the unanimous approval of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board.
Success was achieved in consultation with business and community leaders in opposing a proposed Colorado ballot initiative that sought to ban surface mining of gold ore processed using heap leach technology.
South Africa
Water quality management remained a particular focus for the year. The evaluation of various water treatment techniques was undertaken in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). A desalination pilot plant was successfully designed and commissioned. Typical mine water was treated to potable agricultural and discharge quality standards using this pilot plant.
An extensive airborne electro-magnetic survey was conducted in the West Wits area, covering 7,000 hectares and producing
sub-surface conductivity images to depths of 150 metres. The resultant information will be used to develop a monitoring programme and to generate a three-dimensional ground water model.
Water licences were issued to all South African operations under the National Water Act.
An Excellence in Mining Environmental Management Award, sponsored by the Department of Minerals and Energy, was awarded to the Free State operations for the high quality of their long-term reclamation and closure research.
South America
At Morro Velho, the Santa Cruz Project, comprising a small surface mineable orebody, was approved. Reclamation and revegetation of the Nova Lima metallurgical process plant area is nearing completion.
The Serra Grande mine has relinquished its mining rights to land occupied by Brazilian informal miners (garimpeiros). This has been accepted by the Brazilian regulatory authorities and frees AngloGold from any further obligations associated with the lands.
A review of the Cerro Vanguardia tailing facility was conducted to evaluate the management options for complying with water storage requirements.
A series of environmental studies was conducted to further advance the processing of the initial licence application for the Amapari Project.
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