As a mining and renewable energy solutions company that believes in sustainable value creation through its relationships, impact, and vision, Exxaro is committed to ensuring economic and social stability, energy security and supply. In collaboration with the Council of Geoscience (CGS), Exxaro has entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to further its sustainability and decarbonisation efforts.

The CGS is a national science council in South Africa which is mandated with custodianship of geological information and knowledge. The MOU expresses an intention to collaborate on carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) initiatives towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, thereby promoting climate change adaptation and maximising social impact in support of South Africa’s national commitments which are stated in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Exxaro Chief of Sustainable Impact Officer, Mongezi Veti expressed, “Our strategy also aims for an integrated, multi-stakeholder approach to positioning the business for a resilient and sustainable future. We cannot act alone to create the impact we are aiming for, hence strategic partnerships such as the one with the Council of Geoscience, are key to ensure that our carbon neutrality goal become a reality.”

Mr Mosa Mabuza, CGS CEO said: “This collaboration comes at the right time where we have made tremendous strides on the technical front in implementing this scientific intervention, the CCUS, and the geological characterisation has progressed exponentially to confirm the suitability of the targeted reservoir to the pilot carbon dioxide sequestration project. The CCUS project is a co-funded initiative by the South African Government and the World Bank and its partners and is intended to contribute significantly to the climate mitigation programme as well as energy security trajectory.”

Exxaro’s environment and social response to climate change supports South Africa's energy transition programmes. It balances this with its role as a critical supplier to South Africa's coal-based electricity sector. The business’s natural capital impacts encompass air quality, climate change resilience, energy, water security, waste management, biodiversity, environmental liabilities, land management and rehabilitation.

Exxaro CEO Dr Nombasa Tsengwa added, “We aim to draw upon the Council of Geoscience’s knowledge and expertise to promote positive, solutions-driven approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to highlight transformational climate action. We have a long way to go, but the first steps are the most valuable as they help us gain momentum in this journey towards reducing our climate impacts.”