Auditing goods and services suppliers

We conduct regular audits on suppliers on a risk basis. For example, in 2024, we conducted audits on five DRC suppliers:

• a farm that supplies maize to our DRC industrial assets;
• a mine equipment distributor;
• a camp facility management services provider; and
• two transportation suppliers. 

The audits identified several common themes, including a lack of training on policies, supplier due diligence and awareness around human rights in the workplace. 

The audit for one supplier identified inadequate toilet facilities for workers and a lack of controls to monitor working hours. We required this supplier to immediately install additional toilet facilities and establish a process to monitor hours worked by its workers. The supplier actioned these requirements, supplying evidence of the progress within the agreed time limit. In addition, we made a subsequent unannounced site visit to the supplier.

For all findings, the suppliers were required to submit detailed corrective action plans to address and close out the identified gaps in good operating practices.