Exxaro Resources the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the EKIM Wildlife Centre of Excellence this morning announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that strengthens a shared commitment to combating climate change and promoting sustainable development. This collaboration marks a significant step in leveraging research, innovation, and strategic initiatives to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change.
At the heart of this collaboration is a mutual dedication to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. The MoU outlines the organisations’ joint efforts to align their company initiatives with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that the initiatives identified contribute meaningfully to global sustainability targets.
Exxaro is dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, with interim targets set for 2030. The organisation’s low carbon future strategy emphasises the importance of climate resilience, particularly for vulnerable communities. Guided by its purpose to ‘Power Better Lives in Africa and Beyond’, the organisation understands that it cannot grow sustainably without deliberately creating a positive impact in the environment and communities served by the organisation.
The collaboration is aligned with Exxaro’s land management strategy which relates to business resilience, environmental stewardship, the protection of assets from illegal land use as well as the cultivation of human capital by promoting economic growth through community-based agricultural enterprises.
Key initiatives under this partnership include:
Collection and propagation of indigenous grasses and legume species for post-mining rehabilitation.
Baseline studies for local economic development aligned with social and labour plans, encompassing bush encroachment management through fodder creation, biochar, and charcoal for sustainable land use.
Carbon monitoring in rangelands with implications for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Commercialisation of the game industry to optimise Exxaro’s resources.
Commercialisation of the beef and goat industries as socio-economic stimuli.
Mongezi Veti, Chief Sustainable Impact Officer at Exxaro said, “It is our duty to ensure that we are responsible stewards of the natural resources that our operations and communities rely on to ensure a sustainable future for our employees, communities and the planet. Our socio-economic development programmes will enhance community resilience by promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving food security, among others. We are excited about the potential of this partnership and look forward to working with both ARC and EKIM Wildlife Centre of Excellence to achieve our shared vision of a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future.”
This collaboration represents a pivotal link between science, business, and sustainable development. Conversely, the ARC/EKIM Wildlife Centre of Excellence is dedicated to spearheading research-driven solutions to address the complex challenges and obstacles confronting Exxaro and the broader mining industry regarding sustainable development.
"We are thrilled to partner with both Exxaro and the EKIM Wildlife Centre of Excellence to drive impactful change in the mining industry. By combining our expertise in scientific research with Exxaro's commitment to sustainability, we will work towards a future where mining operations are environmentally responsible and socially beneficial," said Dr Julius Tjelele, ARC's Animal Production Research Team Manager specialising in Range and Forage Sciences.
This MoU represents a significant milestone in the journey towards a sustainable future. By combining collective expertise, resources, and commitment - Exxaro, ARC and EKIM Wildlife Centre of Excellence are poised to make a lasting impact on climate change mitigation and adaptation.