From MediaClubsSouthAfrica.com.

South African companies were recognized for long-term efforts towards sustainability at the inaugural Nedbank-Capital Sustainable Business Awards in Johannesburg.

The awards are an extension of Nedbank Capital’s Green Mining Awards, launched in 2006 to acknowledge economic development by companies practicing responsible mining. Since 2007, companies from across Africa have been eligible to enter.

To qualify in the South African Sustainable Business Awards, companies needed a minimum annual turnover of $19.6-million and at least 500 employees.

Winning the resources category was Mondi South Africa for projects involving energy self-sufficiency, renewable energy, eco-friendly products and a successful wetlands program considered a leader in conservation of vulnerable ecosystems.

Runners-up were Kumba Iron Ore for its fleet of mobile health units serving communities up to 110 miles from its Sishen mine; and Xstrata Coal South Africa for commitment to sustainable land management.

In the infrastructure and renewable energy category, the winner was Growthpoint Properties Limited for its innovative Lincoln on the Lake office block, featuring KwaZulu-Natal’s largest rooftop solar photovoltaic array.

In the trade and services category, the winner was Woolworths, with Farming for the Future project, a campaign that teaches the retail company’s local suppliers to depend more on natural resources and less on chemical fertilizers, and to use water efficiently.

The individual leadership award went to Marius Swanepoel, CEO of Imperial Logistics, Southern Africa’s largest employer of industrial engineers. Swanepoel was recognized for reducing emissions in the 60 companies that comprise the group through route optimization, greater fuel efficiency, and energy, water and waste management.

Previous mining award winners include Anglo Coal, Kumba Iron Ore, Lonmin, Xstrata Alloys and Ghana’s Golden Star Resources.

Read more at MediaClubsSouthAfrica.com.