Multinational mineral and metal processing group Sibanye-Stillwater has welcomed the nature-related reporting organisation Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD) sector guidance for mining and metals as an important step towards an industry that prioritises nature.

The TNFD provides companies and financial institutions with the tools, a framework and information needed to integrate nature-related decision-making into their governance structures, strategic planning, risk management and disclosures.

“Sibanye is committed to managing biodiversity and promoting resilience in post-mining ecosystems, as set out in our Biodiversity procedure. The procedure requires the execution of the mitigation hierarchy from project phase to closure.

“We employ mitigation and restoration in an attempt to arrive at a state of net-zero environmental deterioration, or a net gain,” the company says.

The company's Biodiversity procedure considers a number of reporting and standard requirements including the Global Reporting Initiative biodiversity standard, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) Principle 7 and position statement, local guidelines and laws and investment criteria such as those promoted by the JSE and the NYSE.

Further, Sibanye recognises that biodiversity is a dynamic field, which is trending toward stricter measures, and notes its relevance to UN Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15, as well as to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“Our aims also align with the UN’s goal to reverse environmental degradation and natural habitat loss,” the company says.

Additionally, Sibanye is committed to the ICMM’s Nature Position Statement released in January.

“We have completed our sensitive area assessments and continue with our concurrent rehabilitation commitments as the first step to enhancing biodiversity at and around our facilities,” Sibanye points out.

World Nature Conservation Day, celebrated on July 28, is a reminder that a healthy environment is the foundation for a healthy society, it notes.

Sibanye's theme for this year is 'Our Land. Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration', and focuses on land restoration, halting desertification and building drought resilience.