Sustainability

Universal Coal takes a proactive approach towards environmental management. We aim to minimise and limit any negative environmental impacts that may arise from the mining activity and promote efficient use of resources. Prior to mining activities, all environmental impacts are identified and environmental managements plans developed.

Environmental management plans are developed to address the negative impacts which could arise from the exploration, operation and decommissioning phases. Incorporated within the environmental management plans are reports and plans to address the water management, biodiversity management, waste management, air quality management, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental legal compliance

• Our goal is to go beyond compliance with environmental statutory requirements.
• Kangala, New Clydesdale Colliery and North Block Complex have been granted all relevant environmental licenses to operate, i.e. Environmental Management Plans in terms of the MPRDA, Act 28 of 2002, Integrated Water Use Licenses in terms of the National Water Act, Act of 36 of 1998, Environmental Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, Act 107, 1998 and Waste Licenses in terms of the National Environmental Waste Act, Act 59 of 2008.

Environmental performance

• Environmental objectives and targets have been developed to provide clear benchmarks against which to measure the improvement and success of our environmental programmes over time.
• No major or reportable environmental non-compliances have occurred at any of our operations or projects.

Environmental monitoring and review

• Environmental monitoring reviews which include inspections, risk assessments, internal audits, independent audits and the processing and analyses of environmental data are conducted regularly to assess and generate mitigation plans to manage the impacts of mining activities on the environment.

Rehabilitation and closure

• The rehabilitation liabilities for Kangala and NCC have been accurately quantified and the financial guarantees have been provided to the Department of Mineral Resources for provision or rehabilitation costs at mine closure.
• Concurrent rehabilitation is ongoing at Kangala and Eerstelingsfontein and sizeable areas have been revegetated.
• New Clydesdale Colliery has successfully rehabilitated the historic Vadkrantz opencast pit section.