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Investment by The De Beers Group of Companies in skills training for the local workforce and social projects increased 13 per cent to US$52.5 million in 2015, according to the company’s Report to Society, published today. De Beers also improved its environmental performance, with reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions.

De Beers invested US$24.3 million in development training for its workforce in 2015, a 30 per cent increase on the US$18.8 million the company invested in 2014.

The company also invested US$28.2 million in social projects, which benefited 47,800 people in its producer countries – an increase from the US$27.6 million it invested in 2014.

The report also shows:

• Safety performance continued to improve in 2015, with De Beers achieving a 15% reduction in the total recordable case frequency rate
• The company reduced its environmental footprint, achieving savings of US$6.8 million as a result of reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions over the last two years
• De Beers continued to demonstrate compliance with performance standards in 2015, becoming re-certified with the Responsible Jewellery Council and marking the 10th anniversary of its own externally assured compliance programme – Best Practice Principles – which now covers 320,000 people across the diamond pipeline, in 72 countries

Philippe Mellier, Chief Executive, De Beers Group, said: “Investing for the long term, driving positive change and unlocking opportunities through diamond development are at the core of what we do and I am very proud of our performance in these areas in 2015.

“However, positive performance must not be seen as grounds for complacency and we will redouble our efforts in 2016 so that diamonds continue to have a positive and lasting impact for our partners, our employees and the communities in which we operate.”

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NOTES TO EDITORS

The full Report to Society can be downloaded here. A Summary Review can be downloaded here.

Printed copies of the report can be requested from: [email protected].

Visit De Beers’ ‘Building Forever’ hub for case studies, interviews, films, social media and an interactive data centre: www.debeersgroup.com/buildingforever

CONTACT

De Beers Group Press Office
Tel: +44 20 7430 3434
Email: [email protected]

ABOUT THE DE BEERS GROUP OF COMPANIES

De Beers is a member of the Anglo American group. Established in 1888, De Beers is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers employs more than 20,000 people (directly and as contractors) across the diamond pipeline, and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company’s operating philosophy, the people of De Beers are committed to Living up to Diamonds by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work, and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth. For further information about De Beers, visit www.debeersgroup.com.