ESG
Our Communities and Society
We see our role as more than mining – by building trust, localising our workforce and supply chain, and investing in communities, we are committed to driving long-term socio-economic opportunities.
2024 highlights
· $1.3m invested in community development
· 40% of suppliers are Zimbabwean companies
· $1.4m dividend paid to the local community trust shareholder
· 5,000 residents supported by Blanket Mine
Strong community relationships are vital to our success, underpinning stable, efficient operations through trust, shared prosperity, and a secure social license to operate that reduces risk and supports long-term sustainability. We strengthen economic resilience and extend the benefits of mining beyond our operations by prioritising local suppliers. By putting people and partnerships first, we’re helping to build a more resilient, self-sustaining future for communities across Zimbabwe.
Providing meaningful, well-paid employment is one of the most direct ways we contribute to social and economic development in Zimbabwe. As one of the largest employers in the Gwanda region, Blanket Mine provides jobs in a region where employment opportunities are scarce.
We focus on hiring locally, upskilling workers, and offering genuine career progression opportunities. When specialist skills are unavailable locally, we prioritise hiring Zimbabwean nationals to ensure skills transfer and economic retention within the country. This approach allows us to build a highly skilled workforce, maintain a competitive cost base, and foster strong community relations, ensuring a stable and secure operating environment.
Developing strong local supply chains fosters economic growth, job creation, and resilience, while reducing emissions and costs, building long-term partnerships, and enhancing both community prosperity and our operational sustainability. Our approach to supply chain management is informed by the following principles:
· Supporting local businesses: Strengthening communities by sourcing locally.
· Operational efficiency: Lowering costs and lead times while improving efficiency.
· De-risking supply chain: Supporting and growing Zimbabwean businesses.
· Continuity of Supply: Ensuring uninterrupted access through strong local partnership.
Caledonia was the first Zimbabwean gold mining company to comply with Zimbabwe’s indigenisation laws, ensuring meaningful local ownership in the sector. Through this ownership structure, Caledonia not only ensures that the wealth generated by Blanket Mine benefits Zimbabweans but also strengthens its ties to the local community, fostering a sense of shared purpose and mutual prosperity.
Contributing to Zimbabwe’s economy goes beyond hiring, procurement, and ownership. We make significant contributions through taxes, royalties, and regulatory payments
At Caledonia, we understand that strong community relationships are not just about fulfilling social responsibilities, they are fundamental to the success and sustainability of our operations. Our ability to mine efficiently, maintain stability, and grow as a business depends on the trust, cooperation, and shared prosperity of the communities around us.
We believe that community investment can and should be a catalyst for long-term, self-sustaining economic growth. By directing our resources toward meaningful, high-impact initiatives, we aim to empower local communities, improve livelihoods, and strengthen resilience in the regions where we operate.
Our investment decisions are not made in isolation; they are shaped through active dialogue, shared vision, and collaborative planning with local communities. Every project follows a structured engagement process that ensures:
· Community needs are accurately identified through direct consultations with local leaders, social organisations, and grassroots representatives.
· Investment decisions are impact-driven, focusing on initiatives that deliver measurable improvements in quality of life and economic sustainability.
· Transparency and accountability are embedded in every stage, from initial discussions to implementation and long-term monitoring.
This collaborative, community-first approach ensures that our investments go beyond short-term relief, creating lasting impact, strengthening trust, and building social resilience. By working hand in hand with local stakeholders, we are not just funding projects; we are empowering communities to drive their own development.
Our investments translate into real, measurable impact; helping build stronger, more self-sufficient communities that thrive beyond the life of our mining operations. By aligning our contributions with locally driven priorities, we have been able to:
· Expand access to quality education, helping students gain the skills needed for future employment.
· Improve healthcare services, ensuring that communities have access to essential medical support.
· Support women and youth empowerment programmes, fostering entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
· Invest in sustainable agriculture and local businesses, creating jobs and strengthening food security.
· Provide access to water to local communities for domestic use and livestock watering during a drought in the region through the drilling of boreholes.