2.7 Resource and Business Optimisation

Resource and Business Optimisation (RBO) is a group of approximately 40 professionals that is responsible for leading a range of internal processes that are designed to promote Group-wide excellence in developing, managing and optimising our mineral resources. The group’s professionals include experts in geology and mineral evaluation, mining and process engineering, project management and research & development. RBO’s functions encompass the business improvement processes that we previously referred to under the ‘Business Excellence’ banner.

Our Group-wide procedures provide for RBO involvement at significant stages of the asset development and asset acquisition processes, including resource evaluation and mine planning. Our procedures also embed RBO’s involvement in reviewing business processes and management frameworks and implementing Group standards to drive operational and management excellence at our operating assets.

RBO also contains our reserve governance function, which is responsible for our internal and external ore reserve reporting processes.