Licence to operate
- Humera Malik
Community Development Manager, Pakistan - Humera is one of our most experienced community development practitioners. She and her team have worked with community members adjacent to the Zamzama Gas Plant to establish a range of programs in female education, small business development and health, improving the lives of the communities surrounding our operation.
BHP Billiton is determined to achieve the highest standards in the way we do business. Our commitment to ethical conduct, the health and safety of our people, the quality of life of the communities where we operate, and the health of the environment is how we earn our ‘licence to operate’ – a licence that is critical to the success and sustainability of our business.
Through our performance in these areas, we seek to become a partner of choice for local communities, governments, resource owners and other stakeholders. These partnerships can provide us with competitive advantages in accessing new resources and in attracting and retaining the best employees.
Our commitment to sustainable development is supported by our aspirational goal of Zero Harm, our Guide to Business Conduct, the way we approach our relationships with stakeholders, and transparent corporate governance. We have an ongoing commitment to spend at least 1 per cent of our pre-tax profit on a three-year rolling average on programs to support the communities in which we operate – thereby ensuring that they also directly benefit from our success.
Rewarding a successful partnership
BHP Billiton is the Diversified Minerals and Medals Sponsor of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Our sponsorship will provide financial support to the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the raw materials for the gold, silver and bronze medals, and recognises the importance of China and the Chinese people to our Group’s success.
Understanding our environment
BHP Billiton has undertaken a two-year exploration program to define bauxite resources in its Bakhuis concession in western Suriname. As part of this program, a camera trapping program was established in conjunction with Conservation International to record the diverse and abundant fauna of the concession area. The program has added significantly to our understanding of the Bakhuis fauna and expands existing ecological knowledge in Suriname. The study also allows us to compare Bakhuis exploration with other locations in the Guianas and Amazonia and provides a sound basis for the prediction of potential impacts of any future mining at Bakhuis, together with responsible management of those operations.
Pioneering technology at Hay Point alleviates employee health issues
Improvements to the coal unloading process at the Hay Point terminal, Australia, has increased unloading efficiency while reducing the risk of hearing damage and other injuries to the operator. The BHP Billiton design may have broader applications for the bulk materials transport industry.
Supporting communities
In Pakistan, we joined with the Government and local and international non-government organisations to support relief efforts following their devastating earthquake. Our donations reached more than US$600,000 and will go towards urgent humanitarian programs, the reconstruction of houses, medical supplies and mobile medical units.
Promoting better outcomes
Escondida (Chile) and Antamina (Peru) participated in an International Council on Mining & Metals study to understand how large-scale mining activity can enhance the socio-economic development of host countries. In both cases, there was evidence that our mining operations have contributed to both economic and social improvements. The study provides lessons on how to promote better socio-economic outcomes in natural resource development projects.
Read more about our Sustainable Development Policy, practices and performance in our detailed Sustainability Report at http://sustainability.bhpbilliton.com/2006/.