Our Business 
BHP Billiton supports broad-based black economic empowerment in South Africa.The company believes it is imperative to both the growth and stability of the South African economy and its strategic objectives and long-term sustainability in the country.
Products
Hillside Aluminium, together with Bayside and Mozal, provide primary aluminium for global markets. Hillside produces re-melt merchant product whilst Bayside Aluminium provides value-added products to downstream manufacturers. Hillside Aluminium is South Africa's major producer of primary aluminium.
Construction of Hillside Aluminium began in 1993 and the first two potlines cast their first metal in June 1995. In February 2003,Hillside Aluminium was expanded with a further half potline. First metal was poured from this half potline during October 2003.This increased production at Hillside from 535 000 to more than 700 000 tons per annum, making it the largest aluminium smelter in the southern hemisphere and South Africa's major producer of primary aluminium. Hillside Aluminium is one of the world's most advanced and efficient AP30 smelters and produces T-bars and primary aluminium ingots. The overall objective is to make Hillside the world's leading smelter and maximize Bayside's production of value-added products for local and export markets.
Bayside Aluminium is the only producer of value-added primary aluminium products in Southern Africa and prides itself in its product range and quality,which are the Company's major strengths. Bayside Aluminium cast its first 55 000 t/a back in 1971 and today its products include rolling ingot, extrusion billet and redraw rod, which are mainly sold into the Southern African market and ultimately end up in key market segments such as packaging, automotive, architectural, general engineering, construction and electrical.
Corporate Social Investment
BHP Billiton has a world-class corporate social investment programme that places an emphasis on education, training and skills development, capacity building and job creation, promotion of environmental and cultural heritage values and health projects, particularly in the rural communities of Zululand. The BHP Billiton Development Trust in South Africa implements, coordinates and manages the Company's corporate sustainable development initiatives and those of its operations.
The impact of HIV/AIDS on the smelters in South Africa, as well as in the communities in which the company operates, continues to be a challenge. For this reason an ongoing program of HIV/AIDS education within the operations and communities remains a high priority. Since mid 2005, the Company has been sponsoring the establishment of clinical trials to test a potential new vaccine for the treatment of HIV. The clinical trials, taking place over three years, are to be conducted in southern Africa.
BHP Billiton commenced with new public targets in 2008. In particular, it will further focus attention on eliminating fatal risks, further reducing the energy and greenhouse intensity of the business, optimizing the use of water, and minimizing occupational exposures.
Climate change is an area of increased focus for the Company. BHP Billiton recognises its shared responsibility to address the risks of climate change and are working with others to find ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.The company has updated its policy by setting new targets to further reduce the energy and greenhouse gas intensity of the business, and are committing increased funds to finding technological solutions in partnership with others and are working to better understand and manage emissions, and the impact of its products, on climate change.
Project GREEN was developed by the Bayside/ Hillside Corporate Social Investment (CSI) department to help assess and ensure the environmental sustainability of community projects selected for support. The objectives of Project GREEN are to:
-
Create Opportunities for Environmental Education
-
Raise awareness and understanding of environmental issues and risks
-
Take action on environmental issues and risks
-
Ensure the sustainability and conservation of natural resources.
Project GREEN has been embraced by participants, and there is evidence that they have developed a broader environmental understanding, which they are applying not only in their community projects but also in their personal lives.
This is reflected in comments from the Zululand Crafters Association, whose members received training from the Zululand Craft Action Body with support from Project GREEN. Khushu Dlamini, Chairperson of the Association, said: “Crafters need raw materials such as grasses and wood. If these raw materials are used irresponsibly or destroyed, their livelihood will be taken away. After receiving this training, we realise the importance of conservation. If we look after our environment, it will look after us.” Another program participant is the Ethembeni Care Centre, where initiatives have ranged from medical waste management to the cultivation of medicinal plants (see table below). Sally Tsipa, Facility Manager at the Centre, said:
“The project has made us all realise that without a healthy planet you cannot have healthy people”.
|
Full Name of Company: BHP Billiton
Nature of Business: Primary aluminium producer
Products: Primary aluminium; redraw rod, rolling ingot and extrusion billet.
CONTACT DETAILS
Bayside Aluminium
Physical Address: 4 Harbour Arterial,Richards Bay, 3900.
Postal Address: PO Box 284, Richards Bay, 3900.
Tel: +27 (0)35 999 2111
Website: http://www.bhpbilliton.com
Hillside Aluminium
Physical Address: 9West CentralArterial,Richards Bay, 3900.
Postal Address: PO Box 897, Richards Bay, 3900.
Tel: +27 (0)35 908 8111
Websites: http://www.bhpbilliton.com
VISION
Our vision for sustainable development is to be the company of choice — creating sustainable value for shareholders, employees, contractors, suppliers, customers, business partners and host communities. Central to our vision is our aspirational goal of Zero Harm to people, our host communities and the
environment.
Zero Harm means:
We aspire to create a workplace that is injury, illness and incident free.We seek to adopt a precautionary approach to minimise and,where possible, eliminate our environmental impacts over time.
Company of choice means:
-
Being selected by shareholders as a valued investment, based on strong financial performance and sound governance processes.
-
Being preferred by employees for providing a safe, healthy and equitable work- place and caring about the communities in which we live.
-
Being preferred by the communities in which we operate for our contribution to sustainable community wellbeing.
-
Being preferred by our business partners— customers, suppliers,contractors, governments and joint venture partners — as a committed and reliable partner in delivering sustainable value.
View Larger Map |
|
