Environment

The impact of climate change on the PGM industry and our key stakehol- ders is recognised as an overarching challenge. Operating activities associated with the exploration, extraction and processing of PGMs results in the disturbance of land, the consumption of resources and the generation of waste, emissions and water pollutants, while PGM bearing products play a meaningful role in mitigating the impact of these outcomes.

The environmental impact of the industry is a challenge to assess in full, as the global benefits of using PGMs in catalytic converters and other emission controlling technology are significant. The PGM industry therefore routinely collects and analyses data over the full life cycle of the metals to assess its environmental performance and ensure steady progress, especially with regard to its contribution to reducing Greehouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the light of climate change.

Mining companies in South Africa are regulated by an extensive framework of environmental legislation, including the National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998 (NEMA), and other environmental ma- nagement acts which focus on waste, air quality, biodiversity, water and heritage resources.