Aurubis cooperates on sustainability with mining firm

Aurubis AG, which counts recycled-content copper as one of the predominant metals it produces, says it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with London-based Anglo American PLC “to develop copper products that respond to the increasing expectations for future-enabling metals that are sustainably sourced and supplied.”

Aurubis, based in Hamburg, Germany, describes Anglo American as one of the world's largest producers of platinum, diamonds, copper, nickel, iron ore and steelmaking coal. The two companies signed the agreement during the 2022 World Copper Conference in Singapore in November. They also will “explore the opportunities of technology-driven traceability solutions to bring greater transparency to the entire production cycle” as well as seek “areas of common interest in technology development.”

“Sustainability is a core pillar of our strategy," Aurubis CEO Roland Harings says. "We are constantly investing in solutions for responsibly handling the resources entrusted to us as the most efficient smelter network in the world. This collaboration with Anglo American is yet another example of how we intend to develop and enhance the transparency of the entire supply chain.”

Harings adds, “Anglo American’s Sustainable Mining Plan aligns with the pillars of the Aurubis sustainability label Tomorrow Metals, launched in 2021. This is a promise to our business partners that they will stay best in class in all the sustainability challenges of today and the future by using our metals.”  Recycling is one of four “pillars” of the Aurubis Tomorrow Metals mission.

“Copper plays such a pivotal role in addressing the challenges of climate change and raising living standards for the world’s growing population,” says Peter Whitcutt, CEO of Anglo American’s marketing business. “Rightly, it needs to be produced sustainably and as part of a customer-centric supply chain.”

Both companies participate in the Copper Mark, a system for mines and smelters to have their sustainability performance audited and verified by third parties. Aurubis has already obtained the Copper Mark for three of its sites—two in Germany and one in Bulgaria. “The Copper Mark has also developed a due diligence standard that serves to fulfill the responsible metal sourcing standards of the London Metal Exchange (LME), one of the world’s most important metal exchanges,” Aurubis says.