Page 17 - Bullion world volume 4 issue 6 june 2024

Bullion World | Volume 4 | Issue 6 | June 2024

baseline, we aim to reduce CO2 emissions by 9-11 kTon. introduced personal coaching for sustainable start-up
And our plans include growing the solar farm to produce businesses. We remain committed to nurturing a diverse
at least 5.4 MW. talent pool in a promising but underinvested industry.

Equally important has been our focus on water Furthermore, we partner with Intsika Beneficiation
conservation. Our initiatives to reduce water use Projects to bolster our skills development efforts for
and enhance recycling processes demonstrate a people with disabilities through a learnership programme
commitment to preserving vital resources in an industry in Jewellery Design and Manufacturing. Launched in
that consumes large quantities of water. These efforts 2020, the programme continues to make significant
are crucial in South Africa, a country that has faced inroads in this specialist space. We fully fund the
severe water scarcity issues. We aim to reduce our learnership; to date, 109 disabled learners have been
water usage by 30% by 2027, freeing it up for local trained and have progressed from NQF L2 to NQF
households. Recycling is a key business practice that L4, enabling the marginalised group to move to the
shapes our approach, emphasising the importance of mainstream. Consequently, in our pursuit of Sustainable
every milligram in boosting sustainability. We have set a Development Goal 4, our year-to-date investment has
bold target to reduce waste by 50%, decreasing annual surpassed R40 million for 2024.
waste from 60 tonnes to 30 tonnes by enhancing the
repurposing of recyclable materials. Governance
As a refinery, we have a responsibility towards the gold
Social that is deposited and to maintain the integrity of the value
Our approach to ESG also shares a robust focus on chain. The global market derives comfort and confidence
social elements, particularly our corporate wellness in knowing that Rand Refinery has all the processes
programme, which goes beyond the physical, and due diligence capabilities trusted by mines, central
encompassing the financial, mental, social, occupational, banks, bullion centres, and other end users. No ounce
intellectual, environmental, and spiritual aspects of our of gold we bring in is worth the reputational risk that can
lives. As we navigate the demands of our professional arise from one misjudged source.
responsibilities, it is crucial to prioritise our well-being
and that of our colleagues. Such a holistic approach Our participation in the London Bullion Market
boosts morale and attracts and retains talent, enhancing Association's (LBMA) Gold Bar Integrity programme
productivity and innovation. and World Gold Council mine traceability is a significant
step. These programmes aim to digitally monitor gold
Between 2021 and 2023, we invested over R7.8 million moving through the global supply chain by confirming
in school’s educational enhancements as one of our core provenance and providing transparency over the chain of
pillars in sustainable developmental goals. The donations custody.
are part of a series of planned contributions focusing on
academic support and community development projects. The LBMA and World Gold Council have also introduced
the Gold Industry Sustainability Principles, mandating
We are deeply committed to the community in which refiners to show ongoing progress. Rand Refinery is
we operate. The Gold Zone, located on our premises, currently set to achieve 80% of the requirements outlined
functions as a dynamic hub for training the youth in in these established industry principles.
jewellery design, manufacturing, and skills development.
Known as the Jewellery Village, this area is home to The international success of our RandPure gold bars,
several businesses engaged in jewellery manufacturing, especially in a demanding market like India, highlights
providing employment and fostering the development of the competitive advantage of integrating ESG principles
local beneficiation capacity. into core business strategies. RandPure gold is 100%
ethically sourced and has completely traceable origins.
Our Silver and Gold Mentorship Programmes, Our 100-year history provides invaluable data sets on
established in partnership with the Ekurhuleni Jewellery each mining company and its mined doré fingerprint,
Project (EJP), NQ Jewellers, and the South African further enhancing traceability.
Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator, have seen
remarkable successes since inception in 2021. Since In an era when sustainability is no longer a buzzword but
2022, the programmes have celebrated the graduation a business imperative, our ESG programme shines as
of 42 Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). brightly as the gold we refine.
This year, we have enhanced the SMME curriculum and

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