The board considered the JSE compliance certificate for the reporting period, confirming the company's compliance with the JSE Listings Requirements, Debt and Specialist Securities Listings Requirements and every disclosure requirement for continued listing on the JSE imposed in 2024. The certificate will be submitted to the JSE following board consideration in early 2025.
The board ensures the integrity of the company's integrated report and its alignment with best practice in integrated reporting, including other reporting by the company. The board also oversees the publication of our annual financial statements, ESG report, board committee reports, remuneration report and other online or printed information that complies with legal requirements and meets the legitimate and reasonable information needs of stakeholders.
The RBR committee will review the company's insider dealing policy in early 2025 to ensure it complies with the JSE Listings Requirements, Financial Markets Act and Companies Act and is aligned to the company's code of ethics. The policy applies to all directors, prescribed officers, employees and consultants.
The insider dealing committee provides guidance and clarity to employees and directors on insider trading or price-sensitive information as well as prohibited or closed periods.
We provide ongoing online training on the MyNexxt platform to directors, prescribed officers, employees and consultants to ensure in-depth understanding of the policy, regulatory environment and controls in place.
The board is satisfied with the controls in place to ensure regulatory compliance.
The company's lead equity sponsor and debt sponsor, Absa Bank Limited, and joint equity sponsor, Tamela Holdings Proprietary Limited, perform the continuing obligations in connection with Exxaro's listing on the JSE. The board is satisfied that the sponsors executed their mandate with due care and diligence for 2024.
Exxaro's board has a stakeholder-inclusive approach that responds to principle 16 of King IV regarding stakeholder inclusivity and responsiveness. It aims to balance the needs, interests and expectations of material stakeholders in the organisation's best interest over time to protect and build trust in the organisation and its reputation and legitimacy in the eyes of our stakeholders. As recommended by King IV, Exxaro's disclosure regarding stakeholder relationship management reflects our management approach, key focus areas and stakeholder management activities.
Stakeholder-inclusive approach
The board ensures Exxaro's strategy and conduct reflect its purpose of powering better lives in Africa and beyond, and to be a responsible corporate citizen in giving effect to its purpose.
As Exxaro is an integral part of society, the board ensures the company's efforts to be a responsible corporate citizen. This includes compliance with the South African Constitution (including the Bill of Rights), the law, leading international and national standards, and its own codes of conduct and policies.
The board exercises independent judgement in overseeing management and safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders, including our shareholders. In fulfilling its stewardship role, the board seeks to instil and foster a corporate environment founded on integrity and provide management with sound guidance in pursuit of long-term stakeholder value, ensuring that the company offers sustainable value to society as a whole.
It is the SERC's role to entrench responsible corporate citizenship as part of the committee's focused activities. The roles and responsibilities of the SERC include overseeing the impact of the consequences of the group's activities and outputs on its status as a responsible corporate citizen in:
Fundamental to Exxaro's purpose of powering better lives is our stance that all people have inherent fundamental human rights regardless of their differences. As such, Exxaro is committed to respecting and upholding human rights for all people in its sphere of influence, where the company has the power to effect investment and development.
Upholding and respecting human rights
Exxaro remains committed to supporting the 10 principles of the UNGC. The UNGC principles are embedded in our Sustainable Growth and Impact strategy, values, operations and stakeholder engagements in alignment with our efforts to apply the principles. Exxaro's voluntary participation in the UNGC advances the case for responsible business practices and encourages our stakeholders to do the same. It holds us accountable to a global standard as we strive to become a catalyst for economic growth and environmental stewardship.
UNGC communication on progress
An internal due diligence analysis was conducted to close the gaps and improve Exxaro's human rights practices. The SERC noted how human rights had evolved over time and highlighted the need to consider exposure to air pollution, water pollution, and relocation of people as elements that fall within human rights for reporting purposes.
The importance of safety in the workplace receives focused attention at each board, board committee and executive committee meeting. This is achieved through a standing safety moment item on all agendas, to allow for reflection and reporting.
In addition to the SERC's mandate, the RBR committee is responsible for reviewing health and safety risks and focuses on reported HPIs and LTIs. The SERC monitored occupational health and noted the processes which may detect potential deterioration of certain organs and assist in reversing some diseases.
IR