The methane-fired power station at Moranbah North in Australia
Anglo American has developed coal-seam methane-fired power stations at Moranbah North and Capcoal in Queensland, Australia. Powered by waste gas from the mine, these facilities currently generate a combined 77 MW of power, which is the equivalent of planting 3.6 million trees or taking 580,000 cars off the road.
Rustenburg platinum operation in South Africa
Our Platinum business has implemented a number of energy-efficient projects, including lighting, optimising air compressors and improving the ventilation fan systems.
A variety of wildlife roam New Vaal colliery’s biodiversity park
A herd of zebra grazes off the lush green savannah while, nearby, a new-born blue wildebeest takes its first hesitant steps under the watchful gaze of its mother.
Tarmac has become the first UK quarrying company to have site-specific Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) in place at all of its active quarries. The company has created individual plans for 120 of its sites as part of its commitment to ensure that biodiversity is embedded into the operation of each quarry.
A biodiversity partnership in action – an FFI perspective
Fauna & Flora International (FFI) has been involved in five of Anglo American’s Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) peer reviews at operations in South Africa, Brazil, Namibia and the UK during 2008.
Emalahleni water reclamation plant
Emalahleni water reclamation plant, a joint development between Anglo American Thermal Coal and BHP Billiton near Witbank in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province, was originally intended to provide a solution to the operational, safety and environmental challenges associated with rising underground mine water.
Project ‘No Overflow’ at our Skorpion Zinc refinery in Namibia has resulted in preventing overflows from process evaporation ponds into the environment, while simultaneously reducing water consumption by 1,000 m³ per day
Beneficiation: from process by-product to broad-based benefits
Anglo Platinum and our thermal coal business have developed innovative ways of turning mining and industrial process by-products materials into commercially viable resources, with positive environmental, social and economic impacts. One such product will contribute towards affordable housing solutions for low-income households.
In its efforts to ensure that it leaves a positive environmental, social and economic legacy, Anglo American has developed and launched its Mine Closure Toolbox.
Nature reserve at Union section
Union Mine in South Africa was established in 1954 with no environmental management plan and, as a result, has more historical environmental liabilities than newer Anglo Platinum operations.
A wind farm is being established at Anglo American's Lisheen zinc and lead mine in County Tipperary, Ireland, which will benefit the operation, its employees and the community. It will also leave a positive legacy after mine closure.
Palladium and the control of spoilage in fresh produce
Most fruit and vegetables are affected by ethylene, a plant hormone that accelerates the ripening of fruit. If uncontrolled, this can lead to a reduction in the post-harvest lifetime of the fruit through premature ripening, disease and softening.
Scaw Metals is restoring the Rietfontein landfill site in South Africa, an old clay quarry. Following a pilot study, the site was fully planted in 2006 with trees and plants specially selected for their tolerance to adverse conditions and ability to remove pollutants from land, waste and water.
Anglo American and Fauna and Flora International (FFI) embarked on a global partnership in 2007 to promote greater sharing of knowledge on biodiversity issues and support the Group's focus on best practice.
Pyriglena leucoptera, a bird native to the Brazilian Atlantic rain forest biome
Copebrás is in Cubatão, an industrial centre in the Brazilian Atlantic rain forest region, one of the world's most diverse ecosystems. The Atlantic rain forest is also home to 70% of Brazil's population and human impact has been significant, with less than 7% of the original ecosystem remaining.
A pile of rubber chips from tyres
Tarmac's Tunstead Quarry in the UK is using waste materials as energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve local air quality and beneficially use waste materials that would otherwise go to landfill.
