How Anglo American Tackles Nature Risks Across Value Chain

Anglo American is broadening its approach to environmental stewardship by addressing nature-related risks throughout its value chain. The global mining company, which specialises in the responsible production of copper, premium iron ore and crop nutrients, is combining advanced monitoring techniques with collaborative partnerships to shift from passive risk management to active ecosystem care.

The company has acknowledged that nature-related risks and impacts extend far beyond its direct operations. To address this, Anglo American has launched pilot programmes designed to understand, prioritise and drive change in areas where it lacks direct operational control. These initiatives include an upstream assessment focused on mining tyres and a downstream project at Saldanha Bay utilising environmental DNA technology.

Mining tyres represent a crucial operational input, yet their production creates demand for natural rubber, a commodity largely linked to deforestation, biodiversity loss and social impacts across tropical regions.

Anglo American participated in a Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) pilot, applying the LEAP process (Locate, Evaluate, Assess, Prepare). Using global datasets and tools including the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter, ENCORE (Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure), IBAT (Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool) and Global Forest Watch, the company mapped priority suppliers and pinpointed high-risk sourcing regions, particularly rubber plantations in Indonesia.

The assessment revealed dependencies on ecosystem services such as soil fertility and water regulation, alongside significant risks related to deforestation, habitat loss and impacts on threatened species and local communities.

Rather than treating supply chain impacts as external concerns, Anglo American used this data to engage directly with suppliers on commitments to zero deforestation and ecosystem restoration, explore systemic solutions like circular recycling programmes and alternative materials, and invest in landscape-scale nature-based initiatives.

Marine monitoring through genetic analysis

Traditional marine surveys tend to be costly and capture only a moment in time. Environmental DNA monitoring offers a non-invasive, highly sensitive alternative for tracking biodiversity. By analysing genetic material present in seawater, Anglo American can identify species ranging from sensitive local populations to potential invasive threats.

At Saldanha Bay, the company deployed eDNA technology to establish a biodiversity baseline and monitor how shipping and port activities influence the ecosystem over time. This data functions as an early-warning system for shifts in species composition, detection of non-native species introduced through global shipping networks, and informed dialogue with port authorities, logistics partners and customers.

In partnership with the Saldanha Bay Water Quality Trust, this ongoing monitoring informs practical conservation actions and maintains transparency across the value chain. The approach enables Anglo American to track ecosystem health continuously rather than relying on periodic snapshots, creating a dynamic understanding of marine biodiversity that adapts as conditions change and supporting evidence-based decision-making across port operations.

All sustainability, net zero and sustainable supply chain leaders should attend:

• Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit - QEII Centre, London, March 4-5
• Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit - Navy Pier, Chicago, April 21-22

Co-located with Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE, these events brings together CSOs, ESG leaders and senior decision-makers at a moment when sustainability, supply chains and commercial performance are increasingly interconnected.

Tickets can be booked online today for The Net Zero Summit and The US Summit. Group discounts available.

Building resilience across systems

These upstream and downstream initiatives stem from a fundamental understanding that nature-related risks are systemic rather than isolated to individual sites. By engaging throughout the full value chain, Anglo American has moved from reactive mitigation toward proactive leadership by anticipating risks and identifying vulnerabilities earlier, influencing outcomes beyond areas of direct operational control and building resilience through contributions to broader landscape and seascape health.

The company's integrated approach recognises that environmental challenges cannot be solved in isolation. By working across multiple touchpoints in the value chain, Anglo American creates opportunities for collaborative problem-solving that addresses the interconnected nature of ecological systems and drives industry-wide improvements in environmental performance.

Duncan Wanblad, Chief Executive Officer at Anglo American, says: "Our Sustainability Strategy is based on what we firmly believe to be the right thing to do over the long term for our company and our people, local communities, host governments and of course our investors."

This strategy aligns with emerging global frameworks like TNFD, which require companies to account for their broader impacts and dependencies on the natural world. At its core, this approach supports Anglo American's commitment to a nature-positive future, addressing root drivers of nature loss rather than merely treating symptoms of environmental decline. Through partnerships with suppliers, customers and stakeholders, the company aims to deliver meaningful change at scale.