15
Area
Requirement
Status
Comments
2.2
The board should
appreciate that strategy,
risk, performance and
sustainability are
inseparable
Applied
The board is cognisant that its business strategies
are not achievable without effectively managing its
risk environment in a sustainable manner. It is for
this reason that the board has established the risk
management and sustainability frameworks.
2.3
The board should
provide effective
leadership based on an
ethical foundation
Applied
The board has approved a strategy for AngloGold
Ashanti designed to ensure that the vision and
mission of the company is achieved over the long
term to ensure a sustainable business. The execution
of the strategy takes place within the confines of a set
of clearly articulated values and business principles.
These values and principles are further refined and
explained in more detail in the company’s Code of
Ethics and Business Principles (Our Code). Our Code
was fully endorsed by the Board of Directors and the
Executive Committee.
2.4
The board should
ensure that the
company is and is seen
to be a responsible
corporate citizen
Applied
The vision and mission of the group is clearly
articulated and supported by six values that aim to
ensure that the company is a responsible corporate
citizen. AngloGold Ashanti is committed to ensuring it
contributes to improving the lives of the communities
in which it operates and formally reports on. The
company provides essential information on its global
community improvement initiatives in the Annual
Sustainability Report that is available on the
company’s website.
2.5
The board should
ensure that the
company’s ethics are
managed effectively
Applied
To provide direction and clarity on “grey” areas,
various policies have been developed for, among
other matters, conflicts of interest, gifts and
hospitality, anti-bribery and anti-corruption. These
policies were reviewed and approved by the
Executive Committee and are communicated to all
employees. Our Code and other training, in various
forms, including e-learning, has been and is being
rolled out corporation wide. Training completion
statistics are published to the Executive Committee
and the relevant board committee. AngloGold
Ashanti has implemented a combined assurance
process to provide the board with the necessary
assurance that there is alignment between the
strategy of the group risk management and the
implementation and execution of controls to manage
the identified risks effectively. Ethical and
compliance risk is being factored into the risk and
combined assurance processes.
2.6
The board should
ensure that the
company has an
effective and
independent audit
committee
Applied
The Audit Committee consists only of independent
Non-Executive Directors who meet quarterly and
hold special meetings when required. It is
considered one of the most effective committees as
evidenced by the annual performance evaluations.
Three of the four Audit Committee members are
financially literate. The Chairman, Prof Nkuhlu, who
is the board designated financial expert, is well
respected within the financial community, both
locally and internationally, and serves on various
accounting standard setting panels.