The firm is also trying to halve use of cobalt in batteries from around 20% by raising the proportion of nickel, and it will start researching on development of nearly cobalt-free batteries.
The miner has also scrapped its 2017 dividend after full-year core earnings fell by more than a third because of a ban on unprocessed mineral exports in Tanzania.
Coal mines that fail to meet safety measures or operational standards will be ordered to close and rectify violations, the State Administration of Work Safety said.
Even with rising gold prices and a strengthened balance sheet, the world’s largest gold producer left shareholders with the worst returns among its top North American peers last year.