Responsibility is growing – in Africa and around the world

Mining is almost as old as humanity itself. Yet it is an industry plagued by controversy, as it makes incredibly intensive use of energy, carbon, and water. Plus, working conditions in the sector are not always as they should be. So is it even acceptable for forward-looking companies to support mining any more? We think so. Our reasoning is that not all raw materials and resources required for the transformation of industry, the energy transition, and the mobility transition can be reused from the circular economy. Lithium, rare earth metals, copper, and other valuable raw materials still need to be extracted from the earth. Anyone who ignores the issue of mining is making things too easy for themselves. Responsibility means using every opportunity to improve mining conditions worldwide.

Improved conditions in mining

Mining is a field in which the GKD Group can forge ahead with sustainable developments, particularly at the sites in South America and South Africa. For example, the high demand for water and the contamination of water in the extraction of lithium and gold, as well as in coal washing, are suitable starting points for improvements. With innovative filter and process belts, GKD provides the industry with solutions that not only reduce the ecological footprint, but often also ensure greater process reliability and plant efficiency.

Developing sustainable solutions for different sectors is one of the key motivations for GKD. And because the best place to start is with yourself, GKD Africa commissioned a 270 kW photovoltaic system at the Randfontein site in South Africa in the fall of 2023. This not only reduces the need for external energy, thereby cutting carbon emissions, but it also secures production in the event of a power outage.

Individual projects become a worldwide approach

Other companies in the GKD Group are also assuming responsibility. GKD subsidiary Nextwire in the USA is successful in recycling and waste prevention. GKD China is campaigning for greater gender equality in the working world. And GKD India has pledged to use a portion of its business profits to fund initiatives that assume social responsibility. As such, GKD India supports the Disha Foundation Jaipur, an officially recognized foundation that campaigns on behalf of children with multiple disabilities who require special care.

At the start of 2023, GKD launched an extensive change process at its headquarters in Düren. This involves nothing less than developing and implementing a strategy for a sustainable transformation within the GKD Group. In line with the corporate vision FOR A HEALTHIER, CLEANER, SAFER WORLD, the Group intends to ready itself to meet the future requirements of customers and suppliers and to exceed the statutory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) regulations wherever possible.