Thungela Resources Limited
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023)
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental Stewardship
- Shared Value for Stakeholders
- Responsible Decision-Making and Leadership
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2.5% to 729 kt CO2e from 748 kt CO2e in 2022.
- Achieved 96% water reuse/recycling rate.
- Reduced freshwater abstraction by 64% from the 2015 baseline.
- Reduced potable water abstraction from EWRP by 45% from the 2015 baseline.
- Achieved 69% water treatment rate.
- Reduced PM10 exceedances from 163 in 2022 to 38 in 2023.
Social Achievements
- Achieved 98% HIV testing rate among employees.
- 96% of HIV-positive employees are on ART.
- Reduced new HIV infections from 33 in 2022 to 20 in 2023.
- Reduced TB cases from five in 2022 to two in 2023.
- Reduced voluntary labour turnover from 5.0% to 3.8%
- Increased historically disadvantaged persons in senior management from 60% to 65%.
- Increased women in senior management from 30% to 34%.
- Contributed R156 million to the Sisonke Employee Empowerment Scheme and the Nkulo Community Partnership Trust.
- Thuthukani programme supported 12 suppliers, 222 enterprise development beneficiaries, and 50 businesses with technical enablement, creating 114 additional jobs.
Governance Achievements
- Restructured board committees to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.
- Achieved a 'BBB' ESG risk rating from S&P.
- Improved overall ESG score from 3.5 out of 5 in 2022 to 4 out of 5 in 2023.
- 97% of digitally connected employees completed code of conduct training.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve net zero emissions by 2050 (from 2021 baseline).
- Not disclosed
- Reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% by 2030 (from 2021 baseline).
- Incorporate a minimum of 19 MW of renewable electricity by the end of 2026.
Environmental Challenges
- Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) performance impacting coal exports.
- Kromdraai incident (uncontrolled release of mine-impacted water).
- Illegal mining activities.
- Delays in environmental authorisations.
- Increase in PM2.5 exceedances.
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed alternative sourcing strategies (trucking coal).
- Implemented remediation measures at Kromdraai (fish breeding facility, reverse osmosis plant, phytoremediation).
- Strengthened partnerships with law enforcement.
- Engaged with authorities on pending permits.
- Investigating causes of PM2.5 exceedances and implementing corrective actions.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Preferential local procurement.
- Integration of community-focused criteria in contracts.
- Support for supplier development through Thuthukani.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
- High rainfall
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
- Demand destruction
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and processes
- Renewable energy integration
- Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards (core compliance), GRI 12: Coal Sector Standard 2022, AccountAbility AA1000 Assurance Standard, AccountAbility Principles Engagement Standard, ICMM's sustainable development principles and reporting framework, IFRS® Accounting Standards, IFRS Foundation’s Integrated Reporting Framework, King IV™ Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa 2016, London Stock Exchange and UK Disclosure and Transparency Rules, JSE Listings Requirements, South African Companies Act, 71 of 2008
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001, Top Employers
Third-party Assurance: IBIS Environmental Social Governance Consulting Africa (Pty) Ltd
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 4 (Quality Education)
- Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
- Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
- Goal 13 (Climate Action)
Strategic priorities align with SDGs as detailed in the 'Approach to ESG' section.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- High-quality, low-sulfur export coal.
Awards & Recognition
- Top Employers certification
- MineSafe 2023 best-in-class award (Goedehoop Colliery)
- CDP 'B' rating