Safety and health

A key part of the company’s safety initiative in 2008 was the assertion that safety is the group’s first value. This was the focus of the extensive safety initiative conducted during the year to ensure that this value is both understood by all and put into practice at all levels within the group. The following is an extract from AngloGold Ashanti’s statement of values:

Safety is our first value

We place people first and correspondingly put the highest priority on safe and healthy practices and systems of work. We are responsible for seeking out new and innovative ways to ensure that our workplaces are free of occupational injury and illness. We live each day for each other and use our collective commitment, talents, resources and systems to deliver on our most important commitment ... to care.

Further details on AngloGold Ashanti’s values and business principles may be found on the company's website.

As the group’s values were reviewed during the year, so the group’s undertakings or business principles are now in the process of being reviewed and revised where appropriate. The business principles regarding safety and health serve also as the group policy, and guide regional and operational policies and practices. The process of engagement in developing the new values and the communication around this are discussed in the case study: Renewing our commitment to doing things the right way.