Newly listed Thungela Resources, one of the largest pure-play producers and exporters of thermal coal in South Africa, last week received recognition at the annual COALSAFE Awards. Due to Covid-19, the 2019 awards were postponed so this year’s event recognised the efforts of the coal mining sector for 2019 and 2020.
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. While the Sikhululiwe Clinic at the Mafube Colliery, a joint venture between Thungela and Exxaro, was the winner of the 2019 Community Development category.
“We are humbled to be recognised for our efforts to be a coal miner that genuinely cares about creating value, beyond the bottom-line,” says July Ndlovu, CEO of Thungela. “When we started our journey to independence, I said that each decision and action we take at Thungela must lead to a promising future for the company, our employees, the communities and our country. To receive these accolades at such an early stage of building our new company is an honour and reinforces our resolve to keep looking for solutions to the challenges we face as a society.”
Isibonelo was the first mine in South Africa to initiate an off-set wetland project following its establishment in 2005. Considered to be a world first, a novel approach was adopted that includes, a system of lightweight, interlocking sheets made from recycled UV-resistant plastic, that replaces traditional concrete structures. It can be installed year-round, at a fraction of the time and cost and with minimal environmental impact as no heavy machinery is required. The initiative, which has been broken down into multiple phases, will ultimately restore a total of 119ha of severely degraded wetland systems to pristine, natural condition.
The Sikhululiwe Clinic is a modern facility that provides healthcare services to a population of approximately 5 000 people who live in the rural Sikhululiwe Village in Mpumalanga. Opened in October 2019, the facility has consulting and counselling rooms, includes a dental and emergency ward, as well as a labour ward and pharmacy and operates five days a week. The clinic brings basic health care services to the doorstep of this community thathas many pensioners and unemployed people who would otherwise need to travel long distances to seek health related assistance.
Other highlights for Thungela from the COALSAFE Awards include recognition for more than 10000 fatality free shifts at both Isibonelo Colliery and Mafube Colliery in both years, and 3rdplace 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 efforts of the coal mining industry to uphold safety standards with specific reference to the people, environment, and the communities in which the companies operate. The awards have been in existence for more than 40 years.
ENDS