The first and most pressing of AngloGold Ashanti’s key 2017 priorities is to put an end to mine fatalities by improving workplace conditions and bettering legal compliance, AngloGold COO South Africa Chris Sheppard said on Tuesday, when the company posted stunning cash-rich 2016 financial results, resumed paying dividends to shareholders – but presided once more over the deaths of employees, this time six, in the 12 months to December 31. Against the background of a national sadness mounting around perennial fatality reportage by South Africa’s mines and the company doubling its free cash generation to $287-million in the period, Sheppard spoke of much focus being placed by the JSE- and NYSE-listed gold-mining company on ensuring sustainable and effective adoption of safer production processes, including technology rollouts.
