Corporate Governance
All corporate policies can be found on the following links
Corporate Governance Plan
The Company has adopted this Corporate Governance Plan, which forms the basis of a comprehensive system of control and accountability for the administration of corporate governance. The Board is committed to administering the policies and procedures with openness and integrity, pursuing the true spirit of corporate governance commensurate with the Company’s needs. To the extent they are applicable to the Company, the Board has adopted the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations 4th Edition (“Principles and Recommendations”).
In light of the Company’s size and nature, the Board considers that the current board is a cost effective and practical method of directing and managing the Company. As the Company’s activities develop in size and scope, the size of the board and the implementation of additional corporate governance policies and structures will be reviewed.
a) Board Responsibilities
The Board is responsible for corporate governance of the Company. The Board develops strategies for the Company, reviews strategic objectives and monitors performance against those objectives. The goals of the corporate governance processes are to:
I. maintain and increase Shareholder value;
II. ensure a prudential and ethical basis for the Company’s conduct and activities;
III. ensure compliance with the Company’s legal and regulatory objectives consistent with these goals, the
Board assumes the following responsibilities:
a. developing initiatives for profit and asset growth;
b. reviewing the corporate, commercial and financial performance of the Company on a regular basis;
c. acting on behalf of, and being accountable to, the Shareholders; and,
d. identifying business risks and implementing actions to manage those risks and corporate systems to assure quality.
The Company is committed to the circulation of relevant materials to Directors in a timely manner to facilitate Directors’ participation in the Board discussions on a fully informed basis;
b) Composition of the Board
Election of Board members is substantially the province of the Shareholders in general meeting. However, subject thereto, the Company is committed to the following principles:
i. the Board is to comprise persons with a blend of skills, experience and attributes appropriate for the Company and its business; and,
ii. the principal criteria for the appointment of new directors is their ability to add value to the Company and its business. All incumbent directors bring an independent judgement to bear in deliberations and the current representation is considered adequate given the stage of the Company’s development. The names, qualifications and relevant experience of each Director are set out at in the directors section of this website at http://www.abxgroup.com.au/Board-of-Directors.htm
c) Code of Conduct
As part of its commitment to recognising the legitimate expectations of stakeholders and promoting practices necessary to maintain confidence in ABX’s integrity, ABX has an established Code of Conduct (the Code) to guide compliance with legal, ethical and other obligations to legitimate stakeholders and the responsibility and accountability required of ABX personnel for reporting and investigating unethical practices or circumstances where there are beaches of the Code.
These stakeholders include employees, clients, customers, government authorities, creditors and the community as whole. This Code governs all ABX commercial operations and the conduct of Directors, employees, consultants, contactors and all other people when they represent ABX. This Code also governs the responsibility and accountability required of ABX personnel for reporting and investigating unethical practices.
The Board, management and all employees of ABX are committed to implementing this Code and each individual is accountable for such compliance. A copy of the Code is given to all employees, contractors and relevant personnel, including directors, and is available on the ABX website (under “Corporate Governance”).
d) Diversity Policy
The Board has adopted a diversity policy which provides a framework for the Company to achieve, amongst other things, a diverse and skilled workforce, a workplace culture characterised by inclusive practices and behaviours for the benefit of all staff, improved employment and career development opportunities for women and a work environment that values and utilises the contributions of employees with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
A copy of ABX Diversity Policy is available on the ABX website (under “Corporate Governance”).
e) Continuous Disclosure
The board has designated ABX’s Company Secretary as the person responsible for overseeing and coordinating disclosure of information to the ASX as well as communicating with the ASX.
The board has established a written policy for ensuring compliance with ASX Listing Rule disclosure requirements and accountability at senior executive level for that compliance. A copy of ABX continuous disclosure policy can be found on ABX web site (under “Corporate Governance”).
f) Whistle-blower policy
ABX is committed to the highest standards of conduct and ethical behaviour in all of our business activities, and to promoting and supporting a culture of honest and ethical behaviour, corporate compliance and good corporate governance.
ABX encourages the reporting of any instances of suspected unethical, illegal, fraudulent or undesirable conduct involving ABX's businesses, and will ensure that those persons who make a report shall do so without fear of intimidation, disadvantage or reprisal.
A copy of ABX Whistle-blower Policy is available on the ABX website (under “Corporate Governance”).
g) Anti-bribery and corruption policy
ABX has zero tolerance for bribery and corruption and are committed to identifying and preventing bribery and corruption. Any breach will be treated seriously and may result in disciplinary action, dismissal or termination of contract.
A copy of ABX Anti-bribery and Corruption Policy is available on the ABX website (under “Corporate Governance”).
h) Audit Committee and Management of Risk
The Company’s board sits as the audit and risk committee.
i) Remuneration Arrangements
The Board will decide the remuneration of an executive Director, without the affected executive Director participating in that decision-making process.
The total maximum remuneration of non-executive Directors is initially set by the Constitution and subsequent variation is by ordinary resolution of Shareholders in general meeting in accordance with the Constitution, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules, as applicable. The determination of non-executive Directors’ remuneration within that maximum will be made by the Board having regard to the inputs and value to the Company of the respective contributions by each non-executive Director. The current amount has been set at an amount not to exceed $200,000 per annum.
In addition, a Director may be paid fees or other amounts (subject to any necessary Shareholder approval) for example non-cash performance incentives such as Options as determined by the Board where a Director performs special duties or otherwise performs services outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a Director.
Directors are also entitled to be paid reasonable travelling, hotel and other expenses incurred by them respectively in or about the performance of their duties as Directors. The Board reviews and approves the remuneration policy to enable the Company to attract and retain executives and Directors who will create value for Shareholders having consideration to the amount considered to be commensurate for a company of its size and level of activity as well as the relevant Directors’ time, commitment and responsibility. The Board is also responsible for reviewing any employee incentive and equity-based plans including the appropriateness of performance hurdles and total payments proposed.
(h) Shareholder Communications
The Board strives to ensure that Shareholders are provided with sufficient information to assess the performance of the Company and its Directors and to make well-informed investment decisions. Information is communicated to Shareholders through:
i. annual and half-yearly financial reports and quarterly reports;
ii. annual and other general meetings convened for Shareholder review and approval of Board proposals;
iii. continuous disclosure of material changes to ASX for open access to the public; and,
iv. the Company maintains a website where all ASX announcements, notices and financial reports are published as soon as possible after release to ASX.
The auditor is invited to attend the annual general meeting of Shareholders. The Chairman will permit Shareholders to ask questions about the conduct of the audit and the preparation and content of the audit report.
i) Trading in ABX Shares
ABX Share Trading Policy prohibits Directors from taking advantage of their position or information acquired, in the course of their duties, and the misuse of information for personal gain or to cause detriment to ABX.
Directors, senior executives and employees are required to advise ABX’s Company Secretary of their intentions prior to undertaking any transaction in ABX securities.
If an employee, officer or director is considered to possess material non-public information, they will be precluded from making a security transaction until after the time of public release of that information.
A copy of ABX Share Trading Policy is available on the ABX website (under “Corporate Governance”).
j) Corporate Social Responsibility
ABX is committed to conducting our operations and activities in harmony with the environment and society, and wherever practicable to work in collaboration with communities and government institutions in decision-making and activities for effective, efficient and sustainable solutions.
Our aim is to minimize our environmental footprint and safeguard the environment while sharing the benefits of share the benefits of mining with our employees and the community and contribute to economic and social development, minimizing our environmental footprint and safeguarding the environment, now and for future generations.
A copy of ABX Environmental, Health and Social Charter is available on the ABX website (under “Corporate Governance”).
k) Departures from Recommendations
The Company is required to report any departures from the recommendations in its annual financial report.
