Integrated report 2020
Exxaro report selector 2020
Exxaro Resources Limited
ESG report 2020
REPORT SELECTOR
One of the fundamental goals for Exxaro is to be a low-impact, high-value organisation for this generation and the ones to follow. A key aspect of achieving this goal is to ensure that all Exxaro Mines coexist and find harmony with the natural surrounding environment in which they operate. This is achieved through the many positive biodiversity initiatives and programmes being implemented at the various mines. These various initiatives and programmes will not only protect all indigenous flora and fauna species, but also ensure the expansion of such species to support ecosystems within and beyond the various areas Exxaro operates in. Exxaro is committed to exceeding its biodiversity goals and plans a legacy in which both current and future generations can enjoy the benefits of a clean and flourishing natural environment.
Achievements in 2020
We are committed to environmental excellence, including maintaining a healthy relationship between our operations and the natural environment with projects such as an alien invader eradication programme, pan research, wetland rehabilitation and offset, and biodiversity relocation.
We monitor, control and eradicate invasive alien plant species found on our sites to avoid:
Expected outcomes:
We are implementing alien management and monitoring programmes at Matla, Leeuwpan and ECC to measure the success of control and eradication, recording the distribution of categories 1a, 1b, 2 and 3 listed invasive species on our sites.
| Land cleared of invaders to date | ha |
| Matla | 70 |
| Leeuwpan | 146 |
| ECC | 4 |
| Total | 220 |
We began the first phase of the alien control plan at Grootegeluk in the fourth quarter of 2020. The second phase, involving the physical eradication of the alien species in the identified control units, will begin in 2021.
Belfast plans to implement its invader management plan in 2021 with the training and employment of local community members to implement the project.
Our Belfast operation appointed the CSIR to determine natural hydrological drivers and anthropogenic stressors of pans in the vicinity of the mine in 2019. We conduced wet season sampling in January 2020 in the mining right area to monitor this. A total of 10 pans were sampled and analysed for physicochemical and chemical isotope parameters while the benthic phytoplankton samples were analysed for diversity and dominance. Findings from the 2020 assessment, when compared to the 2019 report, indicate that no deprivation occurred.
Rehabilitation of the wetland system adjacent to the Belfast operation began on 15 October 2019 and was completed on 14 July 2020. The primary rehabilitation interventions included establishing concrete and high density polyethylene (HDPE) liner walls, construction of concrete drop inlet weirs and backfilling of the main channel, the Klein Komati River, to re-establish a channelled valley-bottom wetland. All interventions in the original rehabilitation plan were implemented and the process to recover the system is underway. Continuous monitoring of the system's functioning and the performance of implemented interventions are planned for 2021.
At Grootegeluk, the offset study for the seasonal pans in the life of mine (LoM) footprint area was finalised and submitted to the DHS and the DWS as per the WUL requirement. The methodology for the concept study, aimed at determining the viability of recreating or relocating seasonal pans, was also finalised. Project funding was approved in 2020 but implementation was delayed due to the COVID-19 lockdown and early rains. The concept study will be implemented in the dry season (from May to September 2021).
Matla began implementing a wetland offset project in February 2020 in line with commitments made to the DHS and DWS, for the operation of its water treatment plant. Zitholama implemented wetland offset interventions handed over to the operation in December 2020 when the project was completed. Ongoing monitoring is planned for 2021 to evaluate the performance of the implemented interventions, and to monitor the status of the wetland and habitat.
The COVID-19 lockdown delayed implementing the approved offset strategy at Leeuwpan as part of the Block OI project. It will begin in 2021.
The wetland offset strategy planned for ECC in 2020, as part of the Dorstfontein East expansion project, is under review pending a decision on the way forward in 2021.
Expansion of our Belfast operation was allowed by the DHS and DWAS on condition that we rehabilitate the natural environment in terms of a "net gain" approach.
We had to mitigate any impacts of Belfast's expansion by enhancing the functioning and integrity of identified wetland ecosystems impacted by agriculture, disturbed water flow, alien vegetation, artificial drainage channels, dams and roads.
Rehabilitation interventions included construction of engineered solutions such as concrete and HDPE liner check walls, concrete drop inlet weirs and backfilling of the main channel (the Klein Komati River) to re-establish a channelled valley-bottom wetland, among others. Our strategy achieved a net gain of approximately 1.6 hectare (ha) equivalents within the landscape. It will be used as the base case for future wetland rehabilitation projects by Exxaro and lessons learnt will be shared at various forums to inform our peers.
We relocated four protected plant species at Belfast in 2018: Brunsvigia radulosa, Dierama cf pauciflorum, Dierama sp and Watsonia cf pulchra. On a site visit in March 2020, an ecologist noted that the plants had recovered.
Khadia carolinensis (threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List) and Harpactira hamiltoni (baboon spiders) will be relocated to a suitable site as mining progresses at Belfast. We applied to the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency for a permit to relocate the Khadia and Harpactira in December 2020. Further screening is planned for 2021 to verify and update data collected in 2018 about the number and type of species to be relocated.
Managed by Ferroland Grondtrust, a wholly owned subsidiary of Exxaro, the land was a cattle farm until 18 years ago when indigenous wildlife species were introduced. The thriving game reserve generates income from commercial hunting and game trading as well as accommodation provided by the Manketti Lodge.
Manketti is managed according to a protected area management plan — updated annually with assessments of vegetation condition,
alien plant control and animal population.
The game reserve is home to a variety of large predators, including leopard, lion and cheetah. It is one of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's "cheetah safe spaces". Smaller predators include the black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, civet, African wildcat, caracal and honey badgers, among others. Reptiles include the African rock python, black mamba, striped skink and leopard tortoise. Birds include vulture species, the orange-breasted bush shrike and raptors. Invertebrates include the baboon and trap-door spiders as well as scorpions. Amphibians are represented by the giant African bullfrog. We partner with Reptile Rescue to capture and release reptiles into their natural habitat.
Animal and floral species (manketti, marula, shepherd's, camelthorn, violet, leadwood and tamboti trees as well as succulents, bush lilies and the desert rose) are monitored and managed in terms of provincial and national regulations.
Our Thabametsi mining and power generation projects would have impacted a significant number of protected trees without an offset on 4 000ha of protected woodland in the Manketti game reserve.
Erosion control and topsoil protection are also managed in the game reserve.
Depressions in soils with high clay content become natural wetlands when it rains. These pans are managed as part of larger wetland systems. Manketti also participates in conservation of critically endangered vultures. We aim to limit powerline collision-related deaths, provide safe feeding sites and tag vultures for research.
Manketti's future includes further education of Waterberg communities. Young Lephalale learners already visit the game reserve every year and engage positively with rangers. A nature conservation and wildlife management internship is also available since 2019 for employment in most conservation fields.
