The group remains committed to achieving a working environment that is fatality and injury free. Despite excellent safety achievements at several business units, regrettably five employees lost their lives in 2008 compared to a similar number reported in 2007. The lost time inquiry frequency rate (LTIFR) per 200 000 man-hours worked in 2008 was 0,39 against a target of 0,21 and compared to 0,36 in 2007.

In a further measure to strengthen its safety awareness and preventative programmes, various safety improvement interventions focusing on pre-work Hazard Identification Risk Analysis and intensive training on Exxaro’s I Care Risk Controls, Vehicle Safety and Visible Felt Leadership, have been implemented.

Exxaro has reviewed its HIV/Aids strategy with the objective of improving employee understanding of preventive behaviour to the contracting and spread of HIV/Aids and increasing the number of employees who test and enrol for treatment. At the end of 2008, the cumulative voluntary counselling and testing enrolment improved to 50% from 30% at the end of 2007.

The environmental programme for 2008 focused on ensuring that all its mining operations have fully compliant Environmental Management Programmes required under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act as well as the National Environmental Management Act. Exxaro is reviewing its processes to determine the impact of its activities on natural resources.

Nine business units are certified under both the international health and safety (OHSAS 18001) and environmental (ISO 14001) standards. The remaining six business units have implemented certification programmes with the target to have all operations fully compliant in 2009.