We significantly improved our environmental incident reporting and classification in 2024. We now categorise potential issues as ‘environmental hazards’ or ‘non-conformances’ rather than incidents, helping us address concerns before they become problems. As a result, we recorded 181 incidents in 2024 compared to 404 the previous year.
Key Incidents
Most incidents involved water overflows, hydrocarbon spills, waste storage issues, and air quality exceedances. We've since improved our monitoring and maintenance procedures. No major level 4 or 5 incidents occurred in 2024.
With a commitment to reach net zero by 2050, we have lowered our carbon emissions by implementing energy-saving measures across our operations. Thungela lowered its Scope 2 emissions through energy efficiency projects and the 2024 commissioning of a 4MW photovoltaic solar plant at Zibulo. To reach our net zero pathway by 2050, we will operate on a minimum of 19 MW of renewable electricity before the end of 2026.
We engage with various stakeholders and industry associations on matters related to climate change, and we are committed to being transparent about how we engage.
We take a holistic approach to mine closure, which requires careful planning across multiple areas, including environmental rehabilitation, social transition and economic sustainability. We are dedicated to preserving biodiversity and ensuring responsible mine closure that supports long-term land use. We commit to no net loss of biodiversity and, where possible, to improving ecosystems through the implementation of restoration and offset projects. We also protect areas of high biodiversity value and design site-based rehabilitation efforts to conserve and restore biodiversity.
We are committed to using natural resources, like water and energy, efficiently, while reducing waste and limiting emissions. We emphasise water stewardship. We aim to halve the waste we send to landfill by 2030 through circular economy initiatives that support local communities. We continue to roll out energy efficiency projects across our operations aimed at lowering energy intensity, and we apply advanced technologies to minimise our impact on air quality.
Our overarching commitment to zero harm is reflected in our interactions with the natural environment, our workplace and host communities. Our mines operate by the highest safety standards, continuous improvement and ensuring operational excellence. We practice environmental stewardship by responsibly using natural resources to minimise the impacts of our operations on the surrounding environment.
Read our ESG Report to see how we integrate environmental stewardship into our operational DNA.
