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EXXARO AND SERITI RESOURCES JOIN FORCES WITH ESKOM IN REALISING A JUST ENERGY TRANSITION TO A LOW CARBON FUTURE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg, 25 October 2021: Eskom, Exxaro and Seriti Resources have announced the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that spells out their intention to pursue, co-operatively and individually, the development of renewable energy projects to lower their carbon footprint at their operations. In doing so, the parties aim to create employment and re-skilling opportunities for communities living and working at and around their operations, and to take a step towards a just transition to a low carbon future in South Africa.

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 Eskom-tied 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. This is symbiotic with Eskom’s mandate to provide electricity in an efficient and sustainable manner, which includes decarbonising its supply chain.

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. These may be behind-the-meter solutions (that is, off-grid) or wheeled solutions, or combinations of the two. The companies have committed to begin the projects as soon as possible, subject to regulatory approvals. Further projects envisaged may include energy storage and possibly wind energy facilities.

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 gasses with Matla at full production.

Andre de Ruyter, CEO of Eskom said: “Eskom continues to explore means to lower the cost of coal supplied to its power stations, and this investment allows it to take advantage of the low cost of photovoltaic power. This is one of the many initiatives Eskom has embarked on to achieve a NetZero status by 2050.”

Mxolisi Mgojo, CEO of Exxaro said: “This is a significant landmark development in South Africa’s energy transition to a low carbon economy for three of South Africa’s largest players in the mining and energy sectors. The investment in decarbonising our mining operations is a systematic and responsible approach to the energy transition without introducing risk to the country’s electricity generation. The collaboration amongst Exxaro, Seriti and Eskom is exemplary of the possibilities achievable through co-operative and constructive relations between business and government in securing livelihoods and a future for South Africa.”

Mike Teke, CEO of Seriti said: “We recognise that climate change and the need to decarbonise our economies is a significant challenge and imperative for South Africa. But, at the same time, we are very conscious that this needs to be done in such a way that does not destroy our industrial base, or the lives of South Africans that rely on our companies for jobs, enterprise and support: this is the very basis of a just transition. As a company we are fully committed to decarbonisation and a just transition, and in working with our partners – in business, government, labour and communities – in achieving this, and have formed a new subsidiary, Seriti Green to pursue this.”

For further information:

Eskom:

Sikonathi Mantshantsha
+27 83 276 0606

Exxaro:

Mzila Mthenjane
+27 83 417 6375

Tsabeng Ntithe
+27 76 371 6810

Seriti Resources:

Alan Fine
+27 83 250 0757

Charmane Russell
+27 82 372 5816

Johannesburg, 1 June 2021: Following the fulfilment on 15 May 2021 of all conditions precedent in respect of Seriti’s acquisition of South32 SA Coal Holdings Proprietary Limited (SAEC), Seriti is pleased to advise that the transaction has now closed and that it has assumed management of these operations from 1 June 2021.

SAEC has been renamed Seriti Power, and comprises the Khutala, Klipspruit, and Middelburg Mines Services (MMS) North and South mines, which provide coal to the Kendal and Duhva power stations, as well as export coal via the Richards Bay Coal Terminal. Seriti holds a 90% interest in Seriti Power, while an Employee Trust and Community Trust each hold a 5% interest.

Seriti CEO Mike Teke said: “This is an important milestone for Seriti and for the more than 8,000 employees that we welcome into the Seriti family. We are confident of continuing to supply sustainable, reliable and cost-effective coal to Eskom, as we play our role in ‘keeping the lights on’ in South Africa.”

For further information please contact:

Alan Fine
+27 83 250 0757
alan@rasc.co.za

Charmane Russell
+27 82 372 5816
charmane@rasc.co.za

NOTE TO EDITORS:

About Seriti:
Seriti is a broad-based, 91% black-owned and controlled coal mining company. Seriti, through its operating subsidiary, Seriti Coal Pty Ltd, currently operates three large-scale, opencast and underground thermal coal mines, the New Vaal, New Denmark and Kriel mines, which it acquired from Anglo American, as well as various life extension coal resources and closed collieries. Together with its partners, Seriti intends to develop its New Largo project into a large-scale, opencast coal mine capable of providing the base load fuel requirements for Kusile Power Station.

Seriti is co-owned by four anchor shareholders – Masimong Group Holdings (Masimong), Community Investment Holdings (CIH), Zungu Investments (Zico) and Thebe Investment Corporation (Thebe). It is Seriti’s philosophy that 10% of the equity in its mining operations be ringfenced equally for the benefit of employees and communities through established unencumbered employee and community trusts.

As a responsible South African coal miner, Seriti has a proven track record in the acquisition, operation and development of large-scale opencast and underground coal mines. Guided by experienced board and management teams, Seriti maintains a principle focus on its long-term commitment to the domestic market and, in particular, the reliable and cost-effective provision of coal to Eskom.

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