Mpumi Zikalala – Kumba Iron Ore’s new CEO Thungela receives COALSAFE Award Minerals Council backs net zero GHG target Sibanye-Stillwater eyes Brazilian nickel and copper mines

MINERALS COUNCIL

BACKS PARIS AGREEMENT’S NET ZERO GHG TARGET

The Minerals Council South Africa has voiced its support of the Paris Climate Change Agreement ambition of net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The council is developing a Net Zero 2050 Action Plan and pathway towards achieving the goal of net zero GHG emissions.

Collaborative work with the National Business Initiative on a least-cost pathway is under way. This action plan for mining will include the central pillars of an increasing share of investment in renewable energy sources (green hydrogen, solar, wind, battery storage), research, development and innovation into new technologies, the ongoing adoption of 4IR technologies and modern mining methods, critical skills development, engaging the supplier base for collaborative programmes of GHG reductions and a realistic people-centred just energy transition.

THUNGELA RECEIVES TOP HONOURS AT THE COALSAFE AWARDS

Newly listed Thungela Resources, one of the largest pure-play producers and exporters of thermal coal in South Africa, recently received recognition at the annual COALSAFE Awards.

In the 2020 Environmental Management category, Thungela took first and second place honours for the Isibonelo Colliery Wetland Rehabilitation project and Zibulo Colliery Gumboots Recycling project, respectively.

The Sikhululiwe Clinic at the Mafube Colliery, a joint venture between Thungela and Exxaro, was the winner of the 2019 Community Development category. Other highlights for Thungela from the COALSAFE Awards include recognition for more than 10 000 fatality-free shi s at both Isibonelo Colliery and Mafube Colliery in both years, and third place in the 2019 Environmental Management category for an irrigation project in the Steve Tshwete Municipality.

Hosted by the South African Colliery Manager’s Association, the COALSAFE Awards recognise the e orts of the coal mining industry to uphold safety standards. The awards have been in existence for more than 40 years.

MPUMI ZIKALALA – KUMBA IRON ORE’S NEW CEO

De Beers Group MD Nompumelelo (Mpumi) Zikalala is set to take up the position of CEO of Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore business in the new year. The process to identify Zikalala’s successor of De Beers Group Ma naged Operations MD is under way, the company says.

Regarding the new role, Zikalala says: “Taking on the role of CEO for Kumba will be a great natural progression for me within Anglo American, giving me the opportunity to apply my skills in a di erent business, while continuing to work with many of the stakeholders with whom I have built valued relationships over the years.”

DRDGOLD’S ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER WINS NACA AWARD

Gold miner DRDGOLD’s environmental manager Louis Kleynhans was recently awarded a Golden Award for Lifetime Contributions to the Cause for Clean Air from the Council of the National Association for Clean Air (NACA).

He received the NACA award in recognition of his leadership role in addressing dust challenges at DRDGOLD’s active mine tailings reclamation sites, cleared sites and tailings storage facilities (TSFs).

He has led the development of cost-e ective procedures for the establishment and maintenance of indigenous vegetation on active reclamation sites, cleared sites and TSFs to reduce dust and improve air quality for surrounding communities.

ESKOM, EXXARO AND SERITI RESOURCES EYE LOW-CARBON FUTURE

Power producer Eskom and coal miners Exxaro and Seriti Resources have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that spells out their intention to pursue the development of renewable energy projects to lower their carbon footprint at their operations.

Exxaro and Seriti are the largest coal suppliers to Eskom, contributing around 80% of Eskom’s coal supply per year. By implementing renewable energy solutions at their Eskomtied operations and at related Eskom sites, Seriti and Exxaro aim to achieve both carbon reduction and cost savings in the generation and use of electricity at these mines.

The first phase of the envisaged project pipeline will see the construction of a number of solar photovoltaic facilities both on-mine and at Eskom sites. Under the MOU, Seriti envisages achieving a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 350 000 tonnes per annum, around half of its current emissions of 700 000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent through the consumption of coal-fired electricity generation.

Exxaro envisages achieving a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 130 000 tonnes per annum at its Matla coal mine, which represents a saving of 70% of the greenhouse gases with Matla at full production.

MINERALS COUNCIL PUBLISHES FACTS AND FIGURES BOOK

The Minerals Council South Africa recently published its annual collection of industry information in the Facts and Figures 2020 Book. The mining industry in 2020:

■ Contributed R371.9-billion. ■ Employed 452 866 people. ■ Paid R34.7bn in value-added taxes and R11.8bn in

royalties.

■ Exported R450.6bn worth of minerals.

Minerals Council CEO Roger Baxter says: “The negative impact on mining was lighter than that compared to many other parts of the economy due to the excellent cooperation and collaboration between the industry and government in getting the sector safely back to work as quickly as possible.

“Many mining companies recorded increased revenues and profits, thanks to higher commodity prices and a weaker rand.”

SIBANYE-STILLWATER TO ACQUIRE BRAZILIAN NICKEL AND COPPER MINES

Sibanye-Stillwater has announced its intention to acquire the Santa Rita nickel mine and the Serrote copper mine in Brazil for $1-billion. Neal Froneman, CEO of SibanyeStillwater, says: “The transaction represents a unique opportunity for Sibanye-Stillwater to acquire significantly pre-developed and pre-capitalised lowcost producing nickel and copper assets with strong ESG credentials, which will continue to be managed by a highquality team with a wealth of operating experience in Brazil.”