Sustainable development report 2015
Supplement to the integrated annual report 30 June 2015
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SOCIAL CAPITAL AND LICENCE TO OPERATE
Investing in community development – Zimbabwe

“The focus in the years ahead will be to continue to identify income-generating and infrastructural projects in line with community needs and priorities

Zimplats socio-economic development expenditure US$000

Programme

2015  

2014

2013

2012

2011

Empowerment of communities

—  

4 200

2 500

3 300

—

Health, safety and environment

23  

91

668

873

223

Education

300  

207

3 062

3 283

755

Government and municipality support infrastructure

19  

—

—

—

—

Sports development

52  

94

54

35

27

Enterprise development

413  

—

—

—

—

Income-generating projects

117  

88

80

47

303

Community welfare, arts and culture

50  

578

340

1 071

41

Total socio-economic development expenditure

974*

5 258

6 704

8 609

1 349

Housing and living conditions

5 474  

15 000

20 548

49 000

—

Total sustainable development investment

6 448  

20 258

27 252

57 609

1 349

* The community spend for Zimplats is lower than Mimosa as a result of cost management strategies applied across the business on the back of declining metal prices and the impact of the collapse of Bimha Mine on volumes and ultimately revenues.

Accommodation and living conditions

Our strategic approach to accommodation and living conditions

Zimplats' commitment to improving the living conditions of employees mirrors the strong commitment evident in our South African operations. The provision of access to housing provides an opportunity for competitive advantage in attracting future skills, and can be used to support procurement from local enterprises and enterprise development in host communities through the value chain.

This year at our Zimplats operations the following was achieved:

  • We invested US$5.5 million on employee housing in the 2015 financial year (2014: US$15 million).
  • The company commenced the second phase of our employee home ownership scheme, with 680 units completed and handed over to employees.
  • Sixty-five company houses which were budgeted under the 2014 financial year and which were behind schedule and will be constructed between July and September 2015 bringing the total number of Company houses to 1 410 at Ngezi.
  • Discussions have continued with potential partners on an employee housing scheme for Selous Metallurgical Complex-based (SMC) employees in Chegutu.