Exxaro Resources is marking 20 years of advancing sustainable social impact through long-term investments in communities across South Africa. Since inception in 2006, Exxaro has spent over R70 billion on creating meaningful impact through inclusive socio-economic development, empowering local communities and contributing to sustainable livelihoods that extend beyond the life of mining operations.
Through a strategic approach aligned with the organisation’s Sustainable Growth and Impact (SG&I) strategy, Exxaro continues to invest in education, enterprise and supplier development, and land rehabilitation initiatives designed to create enduring social and economic value. The SG&I strategy is centred on supporting scalable socio-economic upliftment, creating opportunities that strengthen community resilience and adopting an integrated, multi-stakeholder approach to building sustainable futures for communities and local economies.
“Our approach to social impact is rooted in partnership, inclusion and long-term sustainability. By working alongside our communities and other stakeholders, we aim to create meaningful impact that supports both economic resilience and shared prosperity. Mining has a responsibility to contribute to sustainable development in a way that extends beyond operational timelines. At Exxaro, we are focused on helping build resilient communities and future-ready local economies that can continue to grow long after mining activities conclude,” says Neo Monareng, Executive Head: Sustainability.
In education, we continue to invest across the value chain - from early childhood development to youth skills development – helping to improve access to quality learning environments and future employment opportunities. Exxaro invested more than R27 million in infrastructure upgrades at Nelsonskop Primary School near the Grootegeluk Mine in Limpopo. We also completed the upgrade of Bonginhlanhla Primary School in Kriel, Mpumalanga, transforming the facility into a safer and more modern learning environment for learners and educators.
In healthcare, Exxaro partnered with its non-profit company Aga Setshaba, to support Hope for the Blind Hospital in Modimolle through a R15 million medical equipment donation aimed at improving eye care services and addressing preventable blindness in underserved communities.
Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) remain a key pillar of Exxaro’s social impact strategy. Through funding, mentorship, skills development and market access support, the organisation works to strengthen local entrepreneurship and create sustainable economic participation opportunities. Programmes such as the Pitch for Funding initiative enable entrepreneurs and small businesses to access resources needed to scale their operations and create employment opportunities in their communities.
These initiatives align with our broader commitment to enabling thriving local economies, supporting inclusive growth and creating opportunities for local businesses to contribute meaningfully to socio-economic development in host communities.
Exxaro’s land rehabilitation and agricultural initiatives are designed to create sustainable livelihoods that can continue beyond the operational lifespan of our mining activities. The organisation’s integrated land management approach focuses on balancing operational requirements with environmental stewardship, biodiversity protection and long-term community development. We continue to support emerging farmers through initiatives such as its Agricultural Land Lease Programme, which provides access to land, mentorship and agricultural support. Our minerals succession programme in Tshikondeni, Limpopo, has supported the growth of several agri-businesses that collectively contribute to local employment creation and agricultural production.
Exxaro’s social impact programmes are designed to drive lasting, scalable socio-economic upliftment and prosperity that can continue independently beyond the organisation’s direct involvement.