Material matters

We review and update our GRI-aligned materiality analysis annually, which is driven and informed by Gold Fields' purpose and our commitment to leading ESG best practices, reporting standards and frameworks.

Material matters are those issues that could substantially impact Gold Fields' outward influence on society, our host communities and the environment (including human rights), as well as our ability to deliver on the Group's three strategic pillars and create value for our stakeholders over the short, medium and long term. In 2023, we initiated a new three-year analysis cycle and conducted a double materiality review to identify the Group's material matters. The results of the analysis further serve to inform Gold Fields' business plans and strategies, as well as our approach to external reporting.

As a first step, we analysed both our internal and external operating context and identified 29 material matters. These were interrogated by key internal stakeholders and aggregated into seven material themes. The material themes and matters were prioritised through engagement with our stakeholders. We then report on material issues in Gold Fields' annual reporting suite.

The outcome of our materiality analysis

Gold Fields' 2023 material themes and material matters

Protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and contractors	Physical safety Health and wellbeing Psychological safety
Creating shared value for host communities	Community engagement and relations Host community employment and procurement	Socio-economic development
Managing our human capital	Diversity, equity and inclusion Attract, retain and enhance talent and skills	Remuneration and reward Labour practices and relations
Respecting the rights of our stakeholders	Culture and heritage Indigenous Peoples	Human rights
Committing to sound environmental practices	Nature and biodiversity management Tailings management Climate risk	Water stewardship Energy and carbon management
Ensuring business resilience	Social and political risks Materials stewardship and supply chain Delivering on our strategy and creating financial value for shareholders	Integrated mine closure planning Modernisation, innovation and technology Cybersecurity
Upholding sound corporate governance principles	Leadership and succession planning Board structure and composition	Executive remuneration Ethics, transparency and integrity

In previous years, we categorised our material matters as environmental, social or economic and governance-related. This year, we grouped material matters into themes that more accurately reflect the focus areas of our business. While our 2023 material matters did not change significantly, some were updated accordingly:

Physical safety, health and wellbeing, and psychological safety are all now standalone material matters, with additional people-related matters relating to diversity equity and inclusion; attracting and retaining the right talent and skills; and remuneration and reward
The material matters sitting under the theme of upholding sound corporate governance principles were identified as new issues for this year
Other new material matters include: delivering on our strategy and creating financial value for shareholders; integrated mine closure planning; modernisation, innovation and technology; and cybersecurity, most of which fall under ensuring business resilience as a material theme

Materiality assessments are dynamic, and we will continue to monitor our external and internal environment to ensure we consider and respond to the material matters that are most important to our business.

Material matters

The outcome of our materiality analysis

Our material themes