Mining company Anglo American’s reputation for making a real difference in communities through its corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives has been externally recognised, as the company was rated first among nonprofit and corporate companies in the fifteenth edition of Trialogue’s CSI Handbook.

In compiling the handbook, nonprofit organisations and corporates were asked to list no more than three companies that, according to them, are achieving the greatest developmental impact through their CSI programmes. In both surveys, Anglo American was among those most frequently mentioned, among other top companies, such as banking solutions provider Nedbank, financial services group Old Mutual, cellular network provider Vodacom and beverage company South African Breweries.

Trialogue’s Handbook is an invaluable resource on CSI developments in South Africa and includes an analysis of in-depth primary and secondary research, as well as tables on the CSI spend of South African companies with disclosed CSI budgets of more than R10-million.

Anglo American spends three-and-a-half times more on CSI than the next largest private- sector contributor in South Africa, with its CSI spend in local communities having totalled R508.9-million in 2011.

Anglo American South Africa executive director Khanyisile Kweyama says the group’s high ranking in the handbook is a credit to the positive change it has effected in South African communities.

“Throughout our history, Anglo American has been defined not only by our impressive operational results, but also by our complete and sincere commitment to be a good corpor-ate citizen by making a real difference in the communities surrounding our operations and in South African society in general.

“A central aspect of this philosophy has been our dedication towards investing, to ensure that these communities have noticeably improved living conditions and the opportun- ity for a better life. In this way, we have created an environment in which thousands of dis- advantaged people are able to take greater con- trol of their lives.

The accolade that has been bestowed upon the company by Trialogue indicates that Anglo American is succeeding in achieving these goals and it will motivate the company to bolster its efforts even further.