De Beers has published its Report to Society 2009, which charts the company’s recent sustainability performance and represents the collective input of hundreds of dedicated individuals both internal and external to the Family of Companies.

Highlights of the Report include the fact that the family of companies achieved zero fatalities for the first time in 80 years, reflecting the implementation of numerous targeted safety measures, and that the De Beers Family of Companies disbursed a total of US$29.3 million in community social investment, including contractually mandated initiatives and in-kind contributions.

The De Beers Family of Companies continued to provide Anti–Retroviral Treatment to a total of 1,820 employees and their partners in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, and reduced water use at its mining operations by 41%.

In his introduction, Nicky Oppenheimer, Chairman of De Beers, says “the restructuring exercise we undertook in 2009 has provided us with the opportunity to hardwire sustainability into our ‘new normal’ and exploit the clear synergies that exist between running a sustainable and responsible business, and a profitable one”.

In his introduction, Gareth Penny, CEO of De Beers, says “the last year was an exceptionally difficult one for the diamond industry. That we were able to take the steps we did to ensure the health of the business during 2009, without undermining our shared commitment to sustainability, should be a source of pride for everyone in the Family of Companies. As we look forward to capitalizing on the opportunities of economic recovery we will continue to focus on finding synergies between operating sustainably, meeting the expectations of our stakeholders, and meeting our commercial goals. In doing so, we intend to exemplify our commitment to ‘live up to diamonds’.”