Sustainability
OVERVIEW
The relationship that Brikor has with society is critically important. Establishing truly sustainable growth must reach beyond creating employment, paying taxes, supporting and developing suppliers and enterprises, ensuring value-added offerings to customers and creating value for shareholders. Sustainability initiatives should contribute to the alleviation of poverty and counter inequality, create sustainable employment, both within and outside the Group, provide better educational opportunities and access thereto, while developing and
advancing the key technical and commercial skills sets needed in South African business.
At Brikor, sustainability is founded on creative, mutually constructive relationships and common values with the Group’s stakeholders, supported by a commitment to incorporate social, environmental, economic and ethical factors into the Group’s strategic decision-making. Sustainability initiatives emphasise the Group’s commitment to integrity and the benefit of the greater good of all its stakeholders, underpinned by a compliance base and strong corporate governance as a way of life.
At Brikor, sustainability is founded on creative, mutually constructive relationships and common values with the Group’s stakeholders, supported by a commitment to incorporate social, environmental, economic and ethical factors into the Group’s strategic decision-making. Sustainability initiatives emphasise the Group’s commitment to integrity and the benefit of the greater good of all its stakeholders, underpinned by a compliance base and strong corporate governance as a way of life.
ESG
ESG is an acronym for Environmental, Social and Governance. ESG takes the holistic view that sustainability extends beyond just environmental issues. ESG is best characterised as a framework that helps stakeholders understand how Brikor is managing risks and opportunities related to ESG criteria.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Through its corporate citizenship programmes, Brikor commits to focusing on sustainability aspects through conservation of the environment and
resources.
F2022 AT A GLANCE
- Carbon footprint – total carbon emissions of 60 699,88 CO2e tonnes by 522 employees.
- Emissions – production data ranging from raw materials used to litres of fuel consumed to Eskom power supply for all plants and the mine are collated and emissions licence forms are completed and submitted to external environmental experts for auditing and submission to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s Environmental Department.
- Rehabilitation – ongoing rehabilitation is performed as sections of the mining areas are fully mined to ensure a consistent rehabilitation process and flow of funds committed to the rehabilitation.
- Water is used in the manufacturing processes with no wastage of water as all water in process is fully used in the brick manufacturing process, resulting in optimal water recycling.
- Effluents – Formal storm water control and waste management procedures ensure that all solids are removed from the storm water system prior to leaving the site.
- Biodiversity – Brikor’s mine and brick plants are in close proximity to the Blesbokspruit River and Marievale Bird Sanctuary, which is a Ramsar protected site. Brikor undertakes monthly dust monitoring and quarterly water quality monitoring, as well as annual air emissions licence applications to be able to determine if its operations have any detrimental effect on the neighbouring protected areas. Brikor’s coal is very low in Sulphur, thus bringing down the detrimental effect it has significantly.
- Waste – a zero-waste rate in respect of the manufacturing of bricks as brick waste is recycled into the manufacturing process.
SOCIAL
Brikor’s aim is to create and retain jobs and invest in the Group’s employees’ growth and well-being, while approaching transformation on an inclusive basis. Sustainability is viewed as a strategic opportunity,
implemented by continually forging relationships with the Group’s stakeholders, be it employees, customers, or the communities within which Brikor operates.
F2022 AT A GLANCE
- Employment – 522 employees in F2022 of whom 10 are disabled.
- Staff turnover rate – 9,61%.
- Percentage of historically disadvantaged South Africans – 92,15%.
- Unionised employees – 52,69% of the Group’s workforce.
- Occupational health and safety – Zero fatalities during current and prior reporting periods with 15 medical cases (no lost time) and 3 reported injuries (medical treatment cases – lost time).
- Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) at 0,48.
- Communities: Donations to several non-profit organisations, including but not limited to, donations of bricks.
GOVERNANCE
Brikor’s approach to governance is founded on the premise that a successful business requires strong controls, meaningful structures and unwavering commitment to ethical conduct in order to reach its full potential. The Board is fully committed to the highest standards of governance and accountability, as recommended by King IV™, and the delivery of outcomes such as an ethical culture, good performance, effective control and legitimacy.
