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Environmental management
Conserving natural resources and reducing the burden of pollutants to the natural environment remains our core focus in this field. We strive to achieve this by:
- Complying with all applicable environmental legislation – as a minimum standard
see www.exxaro.com/case_studies
Technology to reduce environmental impact
- Developing innovative policies and programmes for
addressing environmental impacts.
All our South African operations have environmental
management programmes required under the Mineral
and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) and
the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA),
which is one of the key indicators in ensuring that Exxaro
becomes a sustainable business. Given that the principles
of the precautionary approach recommended by GRI are
embedded in these pieces of legislation, Exxaro adopts
the precautionary approach in evaluating business
opportunities.
To enhance implementation of these legal requirements and
the sustainable use of natural resources, draft standards for
managing air quality, water, biodiversity, rehabilitation and
incidents have been completed.
In pursuit of sustainable development, Exxaro is responding
to the global threat of climate change, beginning with
successfully determining the group’s carbon footprint.
This process will allow us to identify opportunities in our
operations to reduce greenhouse gases (page 87).
A dedicated in-house environmental management specialist
unit is making good progress in addressing environmental
risks and impacts to enhance Exxaro’s legal compliance.
Key risks and management activities
Key environmental risks from Exxaro’s mining and mineral
processing activities include:
- Water and waste management
- Air quality and climate change
- Biodiversity and land management
- Rehabilitation and environmental liability management.
see www.exxaro.com/case_studies
Environmental protection at Zincor
see www.exxaro.com/case_studies
Water and waste management
Water and waste management
To manage Exxaro’s waste water risks, the following
management actions were taken during the review period:
- Integrated water and waste management plans were
developed for Matla and the char plant. All other Exxaro
operations have plans in place, except Arnot, Glen Douglas
and Glisa which are planned for 2009.
- Water balances were revised and updated for Zincor, the
char plant and KZN Sands’ Hillendale mine. In progress
are Glen Douglas, Matla, Arnot and KZN Sands’ central
processing complex.
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Water efficiency projects at Exxaro |
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Business unit |
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Description |
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Grootegeluk |
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- In-pit storage of stormwater runoff for plant use with a pH neutralisation plant to avoid corrosion
- Dewatering of Basalt aquifer as process water, the Basalt aquifer is fed mainly by seepage from unlined pollution control dams, stockpile areas and slimes facility
- Water recovery from slimes disposal facility
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Matla |
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- Excess water from underground is being considered for distribution to Eskom as process water subject to water quality
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Leeuwpan |
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- Water recovery from slimes disposal facility
- Stormwater runoff that accumulates in pit and plant area recycled via process water dams
- Water reclamation through the press filter at plant reclaims water from the slimes
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Inyanda |
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- Water reclamation from slimes facility
- Stormwater runoff from plant area captured and returned to plant for re-use
- Pit water from groundwater flow and runoff pumped back to dirty water facilities for re-use
- Sewage biologically treated with an option for re-use
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Tshikondeni |
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- Co-disposal facility with water reclamation back to plant for re-use
- Stormwater runoff collected in lined pollution control dams at shaft areas for re-use in process water system
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New Clydesdale |
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- Slimes disposal underground with percolated water recovery for re-use in plant area with zero abstraction from Olifants River for coal-washing purposes
- Stormwater runoff at plant area recycled back as process water.
- Pit stormwater runoff used for dust suppression at Vaalkranz North
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North Block Complex |
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- Excess water from Blesbok pit and stormwater runoff collected in pollution control dams for dust suppression.
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Zincor |
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- Rainwater collection from roofs to augment process water requirements
- Borehole abstraction used to draw back seepage water from aquifer to curb spread of pollution plume and augment process water supply to plant
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Glen Douglas |
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- Stormwater runoff into open-cast areas used as process water in plant area
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KZN Sands |
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- Hillendale has reduced water consumption from Umgeni Water during rainfall season due to reclamation of stormwater runoff to plant
- Seepage and runoff at central processing centre collected and used as process water for various purposes
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Namakwa Sands |
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- At mineral separation plant and smelter, process water recycled from disposal facilities back to plant
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Considering South Africa’s status as a water-scarce country, in joint initiative to collaborate on water management issues in the highveld region of Mpumalanga province in an attempt to nd innovative long-term solutions. Other signatories are Anglo Coal SA, BHP Billiton Energy Coal SA, Xstrata and Eskom.
In the year ahead, water management will be a signicant area of focus for Exxaro, focusing on various aspects from security of supply to water efciency, waste water management and pollution control.
Water withdrawal by source |
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Arnot |
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Glisa |
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Inyanda |
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Leeuwpan |
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Matla |
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New
Clydesdale |
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North
Block
Complex |
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Tshikondeni |
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Glen
Douglas |
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Rosh
Pinah |
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Zincor |
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KZN
Sands |
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Namakwa
Sands |
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Source |
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Eskom |
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Mokolo |
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Olifants River, |
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Boreholes |
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Eskom |
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Olifants
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Municipal |
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Unwa Dam, |
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Municipal |
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Municipal, |
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Municipal |
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Olifants River, |
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Dam, |
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(Mpumalanga) |
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River
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boreholes |
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boreholes, |
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(Western |
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boreholes, |
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boreholes |
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rainwater |
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Cape), |
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pit water |
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langa) |
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harvest |
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seawater |
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| see www.exxaro.com/case_studies
ZINCOR WATER RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECLAMATION
Air quality management
Exxaro’s ensuring compliance with the requirements of the South African National Environmental Management Air Quality Act, limiting impacts on the receiving environment and key receptors by adopting a continuous improvement approach through innovative environmental management.
Given the nature of our diverse businesses, certain activities present greater challenges for adequate air quality management such as emissions generated from:
- Blasting
- Spontaneous combustion of discard dumps
- Mineral ore-processing and handling activities
- Wind erosion of exposed mining and operational areas
- Entrainment of dust from unpaved operational roads
- Tail-pipe gaseous emissions of on-site vehicles.
As a group, Exxaro does not produce ozone-depleting substances. In addition, the group does not report on
NO X and SOX emmissions as this is only relevant at two
operations, Zincor renery and KZN Sands. Monitoring systems are being established at these operations.
Using the Exxaro air quality management framework, 75% of business operations completed detailed emissionsair quality management activities are aimed at inventory and dispersion models during the year, and 93% of our operations monitor ambient concentration of dust fallout from mining activities. Monitoring activities at KZN Sands and Grootegeluk have been expanded to include PM10 (smaller particle matter suspended in air) using active analysers with remote data loggers and offsite data quality control and checks.
see www.exxaro.com/case_studies
ROASTER REBUILD AT ZINCOR HELPS ADDRESS FUGITIVE GASEOUS EMISSIONS
Climate change, energy and greenhouse gases
Energy management
Exxaro has adopted a consolidated approach with all related issues integrated under the energy management steering committee. This previously functioned as the clean energy forum but has been realigned to increase the prioritisation and management focus given to this important issue.
The scope of the steering committee includes operational energy management issues as well as the implementation of projects to enable Exxaro to thrive in a low-carbon economy. The forum is led by an executive general manager, and comprises senior management from corporate services and business units. Topics addressed include:
- Regulatory environment
- Energy consumption data reporting
- Energy security
- Energy efficiency
- Mitigation and clean-energy opportunities
- Integration with sustainability management.
The forum’s objectives include establishing a crossfunctional
management structure to address all energyrelated
issues, and ensuring the development of a
comprehensive energy-consumption and carbon footprint
reporting framework.
Energy efficiency
Exxaro remains committed to the energy efficiency accord
signed in 2005 and, by participating in the energy efficiency
technical committee (facilitated by the National Business
Initiative), is playing a leading role in industry collaboration
with the DME and other government agencies.
Exxaro uses just under 1% of all the electricity generated by
Eskom. In 2006, Exxaro produced 379 443 tonnes of carbon
dioxide equivalent (CO2e) through the consumption of petrol
and diesel and more than 1,5 million tonnes of CO2e from
purchasing electricity from the Eskom grid. Establishing
these quantities – and investigating ways to reduce them
– was the first step towards reaching Exxaro’s 2015 goal of
improving energy efficiency by 15%. In 2007, the group’s
electricity bill was R256 million – 3% of total operating
expenses. This cost per tonne may increase significantly
over the next four years purely as a result of tariff increases,
which will be partially mitigated by the extensive energy
efficiency initiatives being undertaken.
Mitigation and clean-energy opportunities
The Exxaro Chair in Business and Climate Change is based at
Unisa’s College of Economic and Management Sciences. The
R3-million three-year sponsorship will help in developing a
core body of knowledge on climate change in South Africa
to assist local businesses to adapt to, and reduce the effects
of, climate change. This reinforces Exxaro’s commitment
to achieving clean energy standards and remaining
competitive while dealing effectively with climate change,
potential energy shortages, related environmental concerns
and rising costs of energy.
Exxaro has initiated a pre-feasibility study on two
renewable energy projects with the potential of generating
250 – 400MW, in either wind or solar generation. The group
is also progressing with a feasibility study on co-generation
to produce some 200MW of electricity from waste energy
such as furnace off-gas and waste heat at its own and at other
organisations’ operations. The objective is to minimise energy
waste, thus increasing energy efficiency dramatically. The
carbon footprint of electricity from these sources is virtually
zero and would reduce Exxaro’s carbon footprint.
Carbon disclosure project
As noted in the chief executive’s sustainable development
message, Exxaro was recognised for its comprehensive
response to climate change issues in the group’s first
participation in the carbon disclosure project. This process
assesses four issues surrounding climate change namely:
- Climate change risks and opportunities – identify strategic
risks and opportunities and their implications
- Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting – determine
actual absolute GHG emissions
- Performance – against targets and plans to reduce GHG
emissions
- Governance – determine responsibility and management
approach to climate change.
see www.exxaro.com/case_studies
CO-GENERATION ON THE WEST COAST |
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see www.exxaro.com/case_studies
Case study – Guyuni’s people see the light
Houses in the Guyuni community in Limpopo, near Exxaro’s Tshikondeni mine,
had never enjoyed the simple luxury of electricity until Exxaro partnered with the
Alternative Energy Development Corporation (AEDC) to bring zinc air fuel cells to
the village. Exxaro is serious about improving the quality of life of the communities
around its mines.
All households have been equipped with zinc-air fuel cells, and community members now
enjoy the benefits of proper lighting and power for radios, cellphone chargers and small
appliances drawing less than 35W. They are also saving money – the operating cost of
the cells is less than the cost of candles and paraffin. |
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In addition to cheaper, better-quality light, community members now have the opportunity
to use the energy to create their own employment. The cells can be used to power
haircutters, sewing machines, soldering irons and for charging cordless power tools. They
can even power a computer with internet access. A service shop has been established
to service fuel cells and other electrical items, and to supply new fuel cell anodes. The shop will also receive a much-needed
photocopier as a value-added service to the community and its learners.
These cells are kind to the environment – once their energy is exhausted, the zinc anodes are fully recycled, so no pollution
or toxic chemicals are created in the recharging process. A vegetable garden was set up in the community where waste
water is used and zinc oxide serves as a fertiliser.
see www.exxaro.com/case_studies
Easy, affordable energy |
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The zinc-air fuel cell can power lights, radios, small TVs, cellphone chargers and other small
appliances that draw less than 35W.
- The cells are designed to deliver uninterrupted power for up to 240 hours before
the anode needs changing
- The fuel set comes in a neat carry case with a plug outlet
- If more energy is required, the cells can be linked in parallel – so two cells can power
a fridge that requires 60W
- AEDC also supplies a range of appliances compatible with the cells, including a deep
freeze, colour TV and DVD player combo, an anti-malaria vapourising unit, and a PC
and flat-screen LCD monitor combination.
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| see www.exxaro.com/case_studies
Relocation strategy and conservation of vulnerable flora at Inyanda
Biodiversity management
Conservation is becoming increasingly important as climate change impacts on habitats and the richness of global biodiversity.
Exxaro-owned and managed land has significant biodiversity given the wide geographical distribution of the group’s operations.
A summary of the biomes, vegetation types and associated business units is available at www.exxaro.com |
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see www.exxaro.com/case_studies
A ZEBRA NAMED INYANDA
Exxaro’s mine rehabilitation policy and management
standard is based on a legal and risk approach – a system
of chronological steps to optimise ongoing rehabilitation at
operational business units and prepare for efficient mine
closure. It also emphasises the fact that rehabilitation starts
at the feasibility stage of a mining operation.
This will now inform physical processes and financial
provisions, including rehabilitation performance indicators.
Most business units are already reporting on these indicators
each quarter. By closely monitoring this data, rehabilitation
backlogs can be identified before undue financial liabilities
occur. The goal of the environmental rehabilitation
department is to report against set ongoing rehabilitation
budgets per business unit, in terms of volumes and finance.
Exxaro contributed R54,9 million in 2008 and had
R342 million in its trust fund at 31 December 2008 for
mine closure activities. Annually updating rehabilitation
provisions also guides potential rehabilitation optimisation
alternatives that will decrease the closure liabilities of mines
in the long term.
Exxaro 2008 rehabilitation performance status
Land management
Land management is aimed at reducing or preventing various business-related risks, such as:
- Safety – previously mined areas, ie inactive sites that are scheduled for later rehabilitation and pose a safety risk in the interim
- Environment – risk assessments of all inactive sites
- Illegal occupation or invasion of land – settling disputes.
ISO/OHSAS certication
Nine of Exxaro’s health and safety certication (OHSAS 18001) and environmental certication (ISO 14001). While we did not meet our target of having all operations internationally certied in 2008, preparations are well advanced and certication of the outstanding business units is expected in the current year. To date, one operation has completed the conversion to OHSAS 18001:2007.
Environmental performance – 2008
To measure continuous improvement, all business operations have guidelines for reporting on relevant diesel, gas, electricity and water use performance indexes. These are included in the table on the following page together with a schedule of environmental incidents.
Corporate integrated safety, health and environment audits
Internal integrated safety, health and environment audits conducted by the head of the safety and sustainable development division, and executive general managers, have now been rolled out across group operations. With three mines audited to date, areas identied for improvement include:
- Adherence to standards and procedures 15 operations have both the
- Severe skills shortages in safety management
(establishment of professionals-in-training programme
for safety practitioners and implementation of skills
retention programme)
- Application of site-specific procedures and tracking
operational adherence to standards and legislation through
a programme of self-assessments and corporate audits.
Exxaro is also actively participating in representative
industry forums to ensure the group develops and applies
best practices at all operations. |
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see www.exxaro.com/case_studies
Case study – Innovation and nature work hand
in hand
In our prior report, we outlined the environmental challenges faced with expanding
Matla while preserving one of the larger wetland systems in Mpumalanga’s highveld,
the sensitive and highly important Blesbokspruit/Rietspruit ecosystem.
In an example of innovation and nature working hand in hand, the team at Matla are
going below the wetland using undermining, a technique typically used when a mine
extends under a building, roadway or town. The team has adapted this approach into
an innovative engineering design that allows them to extend Matla’s underground
shortwall mining operation with minimal impact on the Blesbokspruit/Rietspruit
wetland that lies above the surface. |
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The Matla wetland management project is one of Exxaro’s key biodiversity
conservation projects. It is unique in that the water flow and function of the wetland
is protected through a shortwall mining design that allows for even subsidence of the
area. The entire wetland area will drop by 1,8m, thus avoiding the formation of ponds
and ensuring the continued natural flow of water. The flow of water into the wetland is controlled in a way that protects the
ecosystem and allows mining to continue without the risk of flooding.
The Blesbokspruit/Rietspruit wetland is one of the larger and more sensitive wetland systems in the area. Mining these coal
reserves could have destroyed 120 hectares of identified non-channelled riparian wetland and another 132 hectares of the
seasonally inundated non-channelled floodplain at the bottom of the valley. This innovative solution has ensured that the
normal wetland function and biodiversity will remain intact. |
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Commodity business: 1 January – 31 December 2008 |
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Electricity (Gj) |
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Diesel (Gj) |
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Sasol Gas (Gj) |
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Petrol used (Gj) |
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Total energy
use (Gj) * |
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Commodity
business |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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| |
Exxaro
Coal |
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1 692 223 |
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1 816 119 |
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2 258 568 |
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1 380 903 |
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0 |
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0 |
|
18 223 |
|
13 421 |
|
3 969 015 |
|
3 210 442 |
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Exxaro
Base
Metals |
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1 795 828 |
|
1 852 900 |
|
143 596 |
|
145 703 |
|
18 |
|
0 |
|
414 |
|
584 |
|
1 939 855 |
|
1 999 187 |
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Mineral
Sands |
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|
2 051 525 |
|
1 983 715 |
|
173 422 |
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72 944 |
|
319 020 |
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320 593 |
|
1 087 |
|
0 |
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2 545 053 |
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2 377 251 |
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| * Total energy gures comprise electricity, diesel, petrol and Sasol gas. |
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Water (m3) |
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Product (Kt) |
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Energy per tonne |
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Commodity business |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Exxaro Coal |
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11 623 896 |
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7 746 713 |
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44 834 000 |
|
40 534 259 |
|
0,09 |
|
0,08 |
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| |
Exxaro Base Metals |
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3 206 356 |
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3 844 548 |
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1 603 000 |
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1 664 507 |
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1,21 |
|
1,20 |
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Mineral Sands |
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14 771 649 |
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10 307 560 |
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1 201 000 |
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684 273 |
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2,12 |
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3,47 |
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Electricity per tonne |
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Diesel per tonne |
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Water per tonne |
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Commodity business |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Exxaro Coal |
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0,04 |
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0,04 |
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0,05 |
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0,03 |
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0,26 |
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0,19 |
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Exxaro Base Metals |
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1,12 |
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1,11 |
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0,09 |
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0,09 |
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2,00 |
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2,31 |
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Mineral Sands |
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1,71 |
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2,90 |
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0,14 |
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0,11 |
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12,30 |
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15,06 |
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CO2 from electricity
purchased (tonnes)** |
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CO2 from diesel
(tonnes)*** |
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Commodity business |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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| |
Exxaro Coal |
|
|
517 |
|
483 |
|
167 238 |
|
102 325 |
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| |
Exxaro Base Metals |
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|
519 |
|
493 |
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10 633 |
|
10 797 |
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| |
Mineral Sands |
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593 |
|
528 |
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12 841 |
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5 405 |
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| |
|
** Electricity purchased x 1,04
*** Diesel purchased x 2,69 ÷ 1 000 |
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Reported CO2 emissions reflect burning fossil fuels and electricity consumption. CO2 emissions from processes (spontaneous
combustion, flaring, etc) are not currently reported as methodologies are still being developed and reviewed for the relevant
operations. Please note that CO2 emission figures in the 2007 report were overstated by a factor of 1 000 due to the use of
kilowatt hours as opposed to megawatt hours in the conversion calculation. These are therefore restated in this report. |
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Level 1: minor impact and/or non-compliance
Level 2: intermediate impact and/or non-compliance
Level 3: major impact and/or non-compliance |
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