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.
F2024 AT A GLANCE
- Carbon footprint – Total carbon emissions of 48 164 CO₂e tonnes reflect a slight increase of 1,8%, attributable to the increase in diesel and coal used in the manufacturing process.
- 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.
- Waste – Brikor disposes of its waste in a responsible manner. Domestic waste is disposed of at the Nigel landfill. External specialist companies are contracted to attend to the disposal of waste in a categorised manner. Domestic waste disposed of amounted to 60m³ and contaminated waste (used lubrication oil) amounted to 16 400 litres.
- Rehabilitation – Ongoing rehabilitation is performed as section 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.
- Environmental initiatives – Brikor recycled brick waste into the manufacturing process, resulting in a zero-waste rate in respect of the manufacturing of bricks.
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.
F2024 AT A GLANCE
- Employment – 625 employees in F2024 of whom 13 are disabled.
- Staff turnover rate – 7,35%.
- Percentage of historically disadvantaged South Africans – 94,24%.
- Unionised employees – 75,72% of the Group’s workforce.
Occupational health and safety – Zero fatalities during current and prior reporting period with 12 medical cases (no lost time and 9 reported injuries (medical treatment cases – lost time). - Total Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) at 1,39.
- Total training spend of R1,45 million, of which internal training spend was R72 307 for 625 trainees.
- 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.
