corporate governance
We primarily align ourselves with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 which is the overarching legal framework of South Africa. We aim to abide by all relevant provisions of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 28 of 2002 (“MPRDA”) which is the predominant piece of legislation governing rights to conduct reconnaissance, prospecting and mining in South Africa. We also abide by all other pieces of legislation that specifically governs mining such as the Mining Titles Registration Act 16 of 1967, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act 28 of 2008, as well as the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 which specifically focuses on the health and safety of the employees on mines.
We further conduct business with our employees on the basis of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 as well as Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, and also have a particular focus on the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003 in terms of how we source our employees and contractor. We have also annually submitted our progress on compliance and alignment with the Mining Charter of South Africa.
We take our Corporate Social Responsibility serious and address it in terms of our Social and Labour Plans (SLP’s), which is also regulated by the MPRDA, but we always try and adopt a compassionate practice while focusing on the promotion of sustainable development in the communities in which we operate.
Our environmental compliance is primarily regulated by our Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Management Programmes (EIA’s and EMP’s) and Water Use Licences (WUL’s), which is compiled and approved in terms of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 and the National Water Act 36 of 1998 respectively. We have a strong compliance focus and see it as part of our Corporate Responsibility to minimise our negative impact on the environment and promote sustainable development. During the licencing, operational and closure periods of our mines all other pieces of environmental and other legislation is considered and where required complied with, with specific reference to the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008, National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004, National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004, National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 53 of 2003, National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999.
Code of Ethics
Canyon Coal, as a South African mining company, implements the principles and recommendations of good corporate governance contained in the King Code of Governance Principles for South Africa (the King III Report).
Standards & Principles
OHSAS 18001 Health & Safety Standards
All our operations are presently aligning to comply and achieve certification to the OHSAS 18001 international safety management standard.
ISO14000/14001 Environmental-management
All our running operations are presently aligning to comply and are scheduled to start certification in 2017.
South African legislation which governs mining and is used as the basis for Canyon’s policy documents and business practices:
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act No. 28 of 2002
Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996
Mining Titles Registration Act 16 of 1967
National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998
National Water Act 36 of 1998
National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008
National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004
National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004
National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 53 of 2003
National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999
Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003
Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998
Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act 28 of 2008
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, 2013
Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000
Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000