Xstrata Coal

Embedding Human Rights

January 2007-September 2008

The brief:
As Xstrata Coal expands into developing areas, it recognises good human rights management will play an increasingly important role in the company’s commitment to sustainable development. With the goal of respecting, protecting and promoting human rights, Xstrata Coal approached Futureye to provide advice in the area of human rights policy and implementation.

Our solution:
Futureye identified Xstrata Coal’s human rights commitments within the company’s existing governance structure to clarify expectations and create a deeper awareness of human rights amongst management staff. First, Futureye evaluated Xstrata Coal’s policies and management practices and compared them to leading practice and relevant international human rights standards. Recommendations which emerged from the research led to a revision of existing Health Safety Environment and Community (HSEC) Standards, to address gaps and clarify human rights requirements for site Managers and Executives.

Futureye worked with Xstrata Coal to develop a Human Rights Guidance Booklet containing information on risks and opportunities, employee responsibilities related to implementation, and case studies of best and worst practice on significant issues.  Checklists were also included to assist personnel in planning, implementation, management, monitoring and reporting of human rights-related policies and practices. Together we designed a pilot two-day training program, delivered to South African operational management and developed into issue-specific modules.

The result:
Xstrata Coal is now in a position to play a leading role within the minerals sector in addressing human rights. The foundations are now in place to be able to cascade best-practice human rights processes throughout Xstrata Coal and its management.

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