Eight managed coal mines produce 44,8Mtpa of power station, steam and coking coal. All power station coal produced is supplied to the national power utility, Eskom. Grootegeluk is one of the most efficient mining operations in the world, and operates the world’s largest coal beneficiation complex. There is a strong pipeline of greenfield and expansion projects under way that will culminate in Exxaro becoming one of the largest coal producers in South Africa.

Exxaro’s South African mineral sands operations are housed in KZN Sands and the Western Cape operations of Namakwa Sands. In Australia, our interests are housed in Australia Sands whose principal asset is 50% of the Tiwest joint venture with Tronox Inc. With the acquisition of Namakwa Sands effective 1 October 2008, Exxaro is now one of the world’s largest suppliers of titanium dioxide feedstock and zircon. Collectively, Exxaro’s mineral sands operations produced 272kt of slag, 193kt of zircon, 113kt of synthetic rutile and 43kt of pigment in 2008.

The Rosh Pinah zinc/lead mine in southern Namibia and the Zincor electrolytic refinery in Gauteng comprise one of the few integrated zinc mining and refinery operations in the world. Exxaro has an interest in the Chifeng zinc refinery in China. During the year, Rosh Pinah and Zincor produced 109kt of zinc concentrate and 87kt of zinc metal respectively. A dedicated plant in Pretoria manufactures high-quality, gas-atomised ferrosilicon, while the Glen Douglas dolomite quarry provides a range of products for the steel, construction and agricultural sectors.

Exxaro holds 20% of Sishen Iron Ore Company (Pty) Limited. The company operates the Sishen and Thabazimbi mines, producing some 34Mtpa of lumpy and fine iron ore, two-thirds of which is exported. Sishen is one of the largest single open-pit mines in the world, known for its high grade and consistent product quality.