Corporate Sustainability Leaders

In the world of corporate responsibility, CSR has become a “buzzword” and is becoming part of many industries, mining and exploration included.  CSR, is alternatively known as being a “good corporate citizen” or paying attention to the triple-bottom line of “people, planet, profit.”

This year DNV Two Tomorrows conducted its 9th annual global research of corporate responsibility best practices using the Tomorrow's Value criteria, a research tool designed to answer "Who are the CSR leaders?' question.  It looked at best practices in the 25 largest companies by revenue in the Americas, Europe and Asia and 19 Dow Jones Sustainability Index supersector leaders from 2011. 

Who are the leaders in CSR?  Typically consumer brands and technology companies gain much of our attention and create a lot of hype surrounding their marketing campaigns.  They are creating important approaches that will revolutionize the way we do business. 

Outside of these limelight sectors is another category, industries with historically risky, messy and challenging operations - petroleum, mining, heavy manufacturing.  Although rarely seen as models of sustainability, many have pioneered leadership in some of the most important areas of corporate responsibility.  These systems are not perfect, and when they fail, consequences can be disastrous and fatal.  But it is this risk that has driven such leading edge practices. 

 
Overall, companies are learning that there are some practical and profitable applications by focusing on protecting the environment, being proactive regarding health and safety of employees, or working with indigenous and local populations beyond what is required by government regulations.

What do you see as the future trends for CSR?

Indonesia: Mining for Civilization (sneak peak)

Have a look at a sneak peak preview of the exclusive upcoming documentary, Indonesia: Mining for Civilization

type in the password: ameaintel 

for the sneak peak. 

Filming and production on the mining communities begins the 31st of October and planned completion and program to be ready by mid November.  

Contact the team at AMEA for more details! info@ameaintel.com

AMEA is the associated media broadcast partner for Asia Pacific Mining Conference 2012

Asia Pacific Mining Conference

Jakarta, October 10 - 11, 2012
http://www.apmcindonesia.com/index.html

Background
The world’s economic growth will continue requiring mineral products and source of energy. Undoubtedly mining sector continues to play a significant role in supporting the world’s industrial and economy sectors and Indonesia has been one of major contributors in the world industrial and economy landscape as exporter country and as well as investment destination. With the recent improved investment ratings, Indonesia is in the best position to leverage the opportunities.
It is great time for Indonesia to show the world of its potentials, investment opportunities and particularly for its mining industry to tap the world and regional’s capacity for its benefits. The followings are some relevant references:

• World Trade in 2050 will jump from $37 trillion in 2010 to $287 trillion in 2050 (Citigroup‘s Report, Oct 2011)
• Indonesia has set the long-term development plan, MP3EI
• Prices for mining commodities are expected to rise with the demand increase.
• Mining companies continue to face some major challenges for sustainable growth:

• Performance improvement and cost savings are key challenges to cope with rising demand
• Rise of resource nationalism is of major concern
• Miners are facing a political landscape that has become more intertwined with operations, resulting in a direct hit to bottom lines.
• Taxation has become an issue at the forefront of CEOs' minds. Mining companies are also contending with a shortage of skilled workers, particularly in developing markets.

• Improving safety and reducing the environmental impact will be ongoing goals.
• "Low-carbon" production of minerals is increasingly important in the years to come
• The world demands for energy continue to grow and coal is anticipated to contribute a significant portion of the Indonesia‘s energy mix in 2050
• Indonesia has become a popular source for emerging markets like China and India, and as a major supplier for Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
• There are a number of companies holding significant cash, looking for access to new reserves or expansion into new territories.
• However, Indonesia is yet to set a favorable investment climate with right regulatory framework, infrastructure and government supports

Tell your sustainability story!

Pictures tell a thousand words and creative visuals are the best way to engage audiences worldwide on serious concerns. In the highly active world of sustainability communications, presentations, film documentaries, as well as case study success stories are all commonplace—and often very strong tools to highlight the numerous environmental, social, and economic challenges and opportunities facing global business today.  Then the question becomes, in the mid of all this creative dissonance for the greater good, how will your company’s own sustainability story stand out from the crowd? 

Today Major Corporations focus on the following:

In the universe of communications and creative marketing strategy often poses the question of:  What will my company’s sustainability story stand out in comparison to my competitors?  

I laughed while reading the blog article How highly  Networked Non-Profits Are Using Social Media to Power Change written by social media specialists Beth Kanter. In a recent post, Kanter describes the “living case study,” as a constantly evolving picture that paints a beautiful image on issues or causes by piggy backing, not simply celebrating the arrival. As Kanter writes, “While the traditional case study is tidy, packaged, and finished—the living case study is open to feedback, questions, thoughts, and most of all, empowerment of peers.” 

This idea of sharing a complex work-in-progress to audiences engaged in sustainable business is not new one. This is the case with retail giant Wal-mart, that has been telling the story of its intense and highly complex journey towards sustainability that has been in progress for many years. Which as a result of  has opened Wal-Mart  up to everything from extreme criticism to praise from analysts, environmentalists, media, corporate leaders, consumers, and key player.  One can argue that Wal mart’s approach to opening itself up to multiple stakeholders on how to minimize its global environmental footprint has been a large part of its sustainability success to date.

 

And while airing ones dirty laundry isn’t every corporation’s cup of tea, here are some reasons to consider sharing your sustainability struggles as you go:

1. Do thing others have not done. Learn from others who have faced. If you ask for help to solve a particular challenge that’s keeping you up at night, you just might get it.
2. Social media loves social inquiry. Show your challenges publicly through social media channels. Start a blog tracking your sustainability efforts. See who responds and engages. They might just become your next biggest advocate—or most loyal consumer.
3. True leaders have the guts to reach out and engage.; Leadership today is no longer equated with top-down, informative messaging and communications. Include multiple voices into your policy for impact and change. The more you share, the more you stand to gain from the perspective of others. 

Updates - OceanaGold

Recently on companyinsight.net.au,  Mick Wilkes the MD of Oceanagold was interviewed on the updates of their gold project in the Philippines.  Below are some excerpts of this interview, to see the full version please visit:   Company Insight - Oceanagold

Highlights of Interview
Recent & expected improved operating performance of New Zealand operations. Strong progress at Didipio.  Production timing, production levels & operating costs. Explains Philippines mining sector reform & implications for OGC. Success of locally owned Didipio Community Development Corporation ('DiCorp'). Explains recently signed US$225 million debt facility, giving funding flexibility. Feedback about OceanaGold from the Diggers & Dealers conference. Current investor proposition & future growth for the Company.

Q: What are the implications for OceanaGold after the Philippines Government signed the 'Executive Order 79' which covers Philippines mining sector reform?

MD & CEO, Mick Wilkes: The Executive Order is designed to ensure a more responsible, sustainable and equitable mining industry in the Philippines.  So, we view the Executive Order as a positive for reform for the mining industry in the Philippines, but more importantly for us because it will clear the way for the approval for an extension of our current exploration permit.  We expect this approval to come through in the next month or two and we are ready to drill some near mine prospects.

Importantly, the Government has said they will regulate more rigorously small scale mining to improve environmental management.  They also want to improve the transparency of the mining industry which will increase the confidence of foreign investors to invest in mining in the Philippines.

Q: The Company has discussed the strong local support for the project and the establishment of the locally-owned cooperative 'DiCorp'. Can you elaborate on DiCorp and how it is involved with the project?

MD & CEO, Mick Wilkes:  The Didipio Community Development Corporation ('DiCorp') is an entity initiated by OceanaGold, and DiCorp's shareholders are long term residents around Didipio.  Its purpose is to help develop skills to provide services for the long term operation of mines.
The shareholders will benefit from being able to develop these skills, but also through sharing in the profits that DiCorp generates.  DiCorp already has around 80 employees and that will increase to around 200 over the next 6 months as more contracts are awarded at the Didipio mine site.

DiCorp is already contracted to maintain the access road, operate the employee bus service, carry out the waste collection service and it also has the cleaning contract for the mining camp.  These types of companies have been set up successfully in other countries and it is turning out to be very successful for DiCorp's shareholders and for OceanaGold.

Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri!

To all of our friends from all of us at AMEA!

Philippine rebound to be sustained?

Interesting article published in The Edge, Singapore.

The author argues that Philippine's rebound is in fact sustainable and investors should look deeper than the "legions of cynics."  The key points in the argument are as follows:

Positives accumulating -
1. Inflation is falling
2. Country risk premium is falling
3. Economy more resilient to external shocks
4. Govt stability increasing

 Investment deterrents easing-
1. Philippines is one of the highest concentrations of minerals in the world, but restrictive regulations that were deterring investments are gradually being removed
2. Major investment in infrastructure has been announced in the new budget
3. Steps being taken by administration to enhance the investment climate - campaign against corruption, increase in BPO growth.

 However, challenges remain - weak infrastructure, high utility costs, to name a few result in Philippines ranking not too highly in international rankings. However, with good policy making, these can be overcome. Please click on link below for the full article:

Manu Bhaskaran: Can the Philippines’ rebound be sustained?
Monday, 16 July 2012

© 2012 - The Edge Singapore

What are your thoughts?