INSIGHT •

Corporations need to regularly improve their mitigation measures to reduce the environmental impact of emissions on the surrounding atmosphere and the communities around the mine , writes Advocate Tsheko Ratsheko , Group Manager Environment , Mining licences and Sustainability at Exxaro Resources .

Days like Zero Emissions Day , allow us to raise awareness and address climate change issues within our stakeholders and society . Zero Emissions Day challenges us to make process changes that will contribute to minimising our carbon footprint and in the long run make the world a better place and preserve life on our planet .

In response to these climate change challenges , Exxaro has repositioned itself as a diversified organisation with renewable energy solutions and mineral resource capabilities , critical and relevant in a world of low-carbon emissions .

Our Sustainable Growth and Impact Strategy is proof that our environmental stewardship is intentional . This vision has encouraged our investment of R1.5-billion to develop two wind farms in the Eastern Cape , which delivered 239 megawatts ( MW ) of reliable and clean power to the national grid for the FYE 31 / 12 / 20 . We expect revenue contribution from our renewable energy business to grow over time as we increase our investment .

The impact of the strategy focuses on the “ Just Transition principle ” which seeks to balance business financial performance and the South African economic needs , ecosystem protection and the society adaptive capacity in the face of climate change .

We remain true to our purpose of powering better lives in Africa and beyond and differentiate our strategy through our commitment to business and community resilience through sustainable impact . Impact is in our DNA .

We have been awarded several ESG awards – and the latest being the Best Sustainability Reporting Award in the 2021 Environmental , Social and Governance Investing Reporting Awards as well as the VigeoEIRIS Top 100 Best Emerging Market list for the fifth time .

Key to this sustainable impact , is how we empower our communities to transition to a low carbon world with us . This can be seen in our inactive sites where we have implemented rehabilitation activities . We have also developed a Mineral Succession Programme for each site – in collaboration with the communities in the area . The program sees Exxaro as a catalyst to community development and environmental stewardship .

Further , rehabilitated land is leased to communities for farming production – with coordinated assistance on soil management , water management and general land holding skills . Guided by the adage : “ charity begins at home ”, Exxaro has defined five priority geographic focus areas for impact – around active and closed mines and in key labour sending areas .

In partnership with other mining operations , regulators , and communities we are regularly collaborating to address these critical issues and environmental impacts . Which is where conferences like Coal Safe Day come in handy allowing social dialogues and collaborations that strive towards zero emissions to take place .

Biodiversity loss has also been identified as being a significant risk in the context of climate change . Considering this , we have been implementing several projects to ensure that our mines coexist in harmony with the environment and the communities . These projects , which are done in collaboration with community cooperatives , include Alien Invader Eradication Projects , Wetland Rehabilitation Projects , and Biodiversity Relocation Programmes .

We work with Local Municipalities on water security and waste management projects . In Lephalale we have donated land to the municipality to start a landfill site – which could be targeted to be an energy generating facility in the near future . Our involvement in the Mokolo Crocodile River Water Augmentation Scheme ensures water security in the whole Lephalale region .

For the past decade we have actively worked with research institution by sponsoring three University Chairs at University of Witwatersrand , University of Pretoria , and University of South Africa – to support research on environmental and climate change issues confronting our business and society . We are proud to also support the municipalities through a Municipal Capacity Building Programme ( MCBP ). The University Chairs offers support , such as the training in climate change , energy / water / land management and the opportunity to give post graduate research access to previously disadvantaged students in these areas . We do these not because we seek accolades , but because we believe fundamentally that building a sustainable society requires active business participation and commitment in creating real impact

In conclusion , whilst climate change is generally seen as a risk for coal – it also presents opportunities for mining operations to build a resilient , cohesive , and compelling growth and impact story . These kinds of sustainable investments are one example of the kind of impact big businesses can have in providing clean and reliable energy in support of a low-carbon world . •