Air quality

We uphold our licence to operate through

Exxaro remains exposed to the risk of deteriorating air quality, which is affected by dust and other pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), including PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 from opencast operations. To mitigate this risk, we focus on

• Minimising our impact on the environment and communities surrounding our operations
• Adhering to all applicable legislative requirements
• Air quality management planning
• Risk management
• Monitoring, measurement and reporting.

During 2019, we focused on going beyond compliance and implementing our reviewed air quality management system at various business units. This process included air quality impact assessments and redesigning our air quality monitoring programmes at each business unit. Air quality awareness and educational campaigns were undertaken in our host communities with the objective of improving stakeholder awareness of air pollution. In 2020, we will continue improving and reviewing our air quality management systems to ensure compliance and a reduction in emissions.

Air quality management initiatives

Long-term and short-term goals for air quality management

Emissions from mining operations

Opencast mining activities, such as blasting, drilling, crushing and screening, vehicle convoys, materials handling and wind erosion of exposed operational areas, unavoidably generate dust. We consistently strive to enhance our mitigation measures for activities that contribute significantly to dust so that we reduce the impacts on sensitive receptors and the environment. The following mitigation measures are in place at our operations:

• Application of chemical dust suppressants on haul roads
• Wet suppression on sources such as open areas and secondary unpaved operational roads
• Vegetating topsoil stockpiles and overburden material
• Avoiding blasts during high wind conditions
• Blast design optimisation of the blast size
• Limited drop heights during offloading activities.

All our mining operations monitor dust fallout rates and the results are assessed against the residential and non-residential limits in terms of National Dust Control Regulations. While our operations are required to comply with non-residential limits, some are close to residential areas or sensitive receptor areas. The goal is therefore to minimise the impact of our operations on nearby residents. In 2019, the dust fallout rate at all operations complied with the regulated residential and non-residential limits.

Number of exceedances of the residential limit (January to December 2019)		Number of exceedances of the non-residential limit (January to December 2019)