5.2.8 Human rights

Gold Fields applies a formal Human Rights Policy statement, both in dealing with its employees as well as external stakeholders. The policy statement is aligned to the relevant ICMM Principles on Human Rights and the United Nations’ ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework. Under the policy statement, Gold Fields commits to:

  • Not interfering with or curtailing other’s enjoyment of human rights
  • Defending (where possible) employees and third-party individuals and groups (as defined in our Community Policy) against human rights abuses
  • Taking positive action to facilitate the entrenchment and enjoyment of human rights

Given the nature of Gold Fields’ footprint, activities and relationships, the human rights policy places specific emphasis on:

  • Community engagement
  • Indigenous rights
  • Resettlement
  • Security and human rights

Internally
Gold Fields upholds the highest standards of human rights within its workforce, including:

  • Freedom from child labour
  • Freedom from force or compulsory labour
  • Freedom from discrimination (while recognising the need to address the legacy of historical injustices in South Africa)
  • Freedom of association and collective bargaining

All induction training (including that provided by Gold Fields’ internal protection services team) includes key human rights elements – and the Group's internal grievance mechanisms help ensure employees and contractors can raise human rights concerns. All grievances are handled by Gold Fields Human Resources departments, which use a defined process to record, evaluate and address legitimate complaints. Employees can also raise concerns via independent counsellors as part of Gold Fields Employee Assistance Programme

Externally
Under the United Nations’ ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework – and the associated Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights – it is incumbent on Gold Fields to carry out human rights due diligence not only on its own activities, but also on its business relationships.

Contractors and suppliers
Gold Fields’ business relies on multiple contractors and suppliers to carry out mining, development, construction and other forms of work on its operations. All contractors are included in Gold Fields’ own health and safety management systems, to help ensure that contractor employees benefit from safe and healthy working conditions.

All contractor employees wishing to report human rights violations are able to make use of Gold Fields’ confidential, third-party whistleblowing hotline. Where such complaints are made, Gold Fields will pursue the matter appropriately.

Gold Fields does not currently carry out human rights due diligence on its suppliers. Nonetheless, the Group has developed an external party screening solution to establish risk profiles of external suppliers and contractors. Among other criteria, the tool screens new and existing contractors and suppliers for human rights and related violations and/or transgressions (p38).

Security providers
Gold Fields’ protection services team works with both private and public security providers – for the effective and responsible protection of workers and assets. All private security contractors receive human rights training during induction – based on local legal requirements, as well as national and international human rights best practice, including the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. Gold Fields is also a signatory to the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers and the United Nations Global Compact. There were no formal complaints made against Gold Fields’ internal or external security providers in 2015 in relation to human rights violations.

Materials stewardship
As part of its efforts to improve human rights performance within its broader value chain, to protect the reputation of its core product and to maximise the societal benefits of its activities, Gold Fields is committed to responsible materials stewardship. In this context, Gold Fields supports global efforts to tackle the use of newly mined gold to finance conflict. There is currently only a minimal risk of externally derived conflict gold entering Gold Fields’ value chain. This is because:

  • None of Gold Fields’ mines are located in conflict-affected countries
  • All gold produced originates from Gold Fields’ own operations
  • No gold is purchased from artisanal miners

Gold Fields has voluntarily adopted the Conflict-Free Gold Standard of the World Gold Council (WGC). This has led to the standard being applied at all relevant locations through full assurance audits. This is a requirement of London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) accredited refineries. In addition, the company reports in accordance with the WGC guidelines on value creation and distribution. Although Gold Fields withdrew its WGC membership in 2014, it has and will continue to apply both the Standard and guidelines.