Gold Fields to improve in-country relations after high-ranking in DJSI

Gold Fields' Tarkwa mine, Ghana

GOLD Fields CEO, Nick Holland, said the company could improve the quality of its relations with the host countries in which it operates.

Acknowledging, the firm’s top ranking among South African firms in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) benchmarking database, Holland commented: “Our continued strong performance on the DJSI shows us that we are on the right track in terms of fully integrating sustainability into our business. But there always will be areas of improvement, particularly in further strengthening our relations with impacted host communities”.

The 2018 DJSI scorecard, which was published today, shows that Gold Fields’ sustainability practices rank with the best of resources companies worldwide, it said. Gold Fields is ranked fourth among around 60 mining companies assessed and the third best global gold company. Gold Fields is also an index component of the DJSI.

Gold Fields has participated in the DJSI assessment, which is carried out by investment firm RobecoSAM on behalf of the DJSI, since 2000. Launched in 1999, the DJSI ranks the performance of global sustainability leaders, through an annual assessment of the world’s 4,000 largest public companies.

The DJSI measures a range of management practices surrounding economic, environmental and social engagement approaches. These include issues such as commitment to and reporting on corporate governance, climate strategy, water related risks, human rights and social impacts on communities.

“It is essential that the industry’s sustainable business practices incorporate high standards of safety and health practices, sound environmental stewardship and pro-active community engagement, including shared value creation with communities,” said Holland.