Bettercoal bolsters Canyon’s sustainable practices

Canyon Coal is among a few coal miners in the world to be endorsed by Bettercoal as a credible supplier of thermal coal.

The global, not-for-profit initiative established by a group of major European utilities, has verified that the company operates its coal mines in a responsible manner, paving the way for Canyon Coal to increase its supply of high quality coal to power utilities around the world.

The Bettercoal endorsement follows a 2015 self assessment against prescribed environmental, ethical and social principles and a site assessment by the organisation in 2016. Bettercoal did not only confirm that the company successfully implemented its principles, but also facilitated the drafting of a continuous improvement plan for its mines.

The continuous improvement plan includes putting environmental and health and safety policies and procedures in writing, the formalisation of policies on social and anti-corruption issues and good documentation management. In essence, it provides a framework for the company to continue operating and growing in a sustainable manner.

Canyon Coal project manager Liza Janse van Vuuren says the company’s acceptance as a member of Bettercoal demonstrates that Canyon Coal implements sustainable business practices.

To this end, the company operates on a closed water system, which does not release any dirty run-off water but re-uses water in processing plants. It sources its workforce locally to provide communities around mines with jobs and invests in the development of its employees. In addition, the mines maintain good relationships with local community leaders and stakeholders, such as farmers, through effective communication and support.

Canyon Coal’s participation in the Bettercoal initiative has recently given the company the opportunity to visit coal mines in the Netherlands and Germany where it observed how operating mines have almost no effect on the environment and maintain excellent community relationships.

“This has served as an excellent learning curve in realising our customers’ vision of protecting the environment, respecting the rights of people and contributing to the livelihoods of workers and communities,” asserts Janse van Vuuren.

The global, not-for-profit initiative established by a group of major European utilities, has verified that the company operates its coal mines in a responsible manner, paving the way for Canyon Coal to increase its supply of high quality coal to power utilities around the world.

The Bettercoal endorsement follows a 2015 self assessment against prescribed environmental, ethical and social principles and a site assessment by the organisation in 2016. Bettercoal did not only confirm that the company successfully implemented its principles, but also facilitated the drafting of a continuous improvement plan for its mines.

The continuous improvement plan includes putting environmental and health and safety policies and procedures in writing, the formalisation of policies on social and anti-corruption issues and good documentation management. In essence, it provides a framework for the company to continue operating and growing in a sustainable manner.

Canyon Coal project manager Liza Janse van Vuuren says the company’s acceptance as a member of Bettercoal demonstrates that Canyon Coal implements sustainable business practices.

To this end, the company operates on a closed water system, which does not release any dirty run-off water but re-uses water in processing plants. It sources its workforce locally to provide communities around mines with jobs and invests in the development of its employees. In addition, the mines maintain good relationships with local community leaders and stakeholders, such as farmers, through effective communication and support.

Canyon Coal’s participation in the Bettercoal initiative has recently given the company the opportunity to visit coal mines in the Netherlands and Germany where it observed how operating mines have almost no effect on the environment and maintain excellent community relationships.

“This has served as an excellent learning curve in realising our customers’ vision of protecting the environment, respecting the rights of people and contributing to the livelihoods of workers and communities,” asserts Janse van Vuuren.