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Environment

The group’s approach to mitigating the effects of its operations on the environment begins with selecting areas of exploration, undertaking best practice environmental studies and complying fully with environmental regulations prior to commencement of any operations. Compliance with regulations necessarily requires extensive consultation with all stakeholders, especially land owners, occupiers of the affected land and any party that may register itself as an interested and affected party.

On receipt of regulatory approval, the group will conduct its operations in a manner that is in total compliance with all the conditions of regulatory approval. In respect of the current operations there is continuous monitoring of the mining activity to ensure compliance with the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). In this regard rehabilitation is undertaken as the mining operations progress.

Keaton Mining’s Klip Colliery, which is the first mine to start business, is an open pit operation. The mine has applied for and received its relevant environmental permits and the design and operation of the mine is being undertaken in terms of these permits. Rehabilitation of disturbed areas is being undertaken concurrently with mining operations. The same principle will govern the mining operation at its Delmas project, in respect of which the mining right has been granted, and the other mines when they become operational. The company undertakes regular environmental audits, using independent third parties, to ensure that there is compliance in every respect with the EMP submitted to the DME.

Keaton Energy’s view is that there is incontrovertible evidence that carbon emissions are having a significant effect on the environment through adverse climate change. These emissions are in part due to the burning of fossil fuels by the world’s electrical power generators, industry and the transport sector. Keaton Energy’s risk management processes require that it take cognisance of both the risks and opportunities that relate to climate change and consider these as part of the company’s ongoing strategy development.

In planning and operating its mines Keaton Energy takes critical account of energy efficiency and aims where practical to limit its own use of carbon-emitting energy sources. The company is also acutely aware of the need to conserve natural resources, and energy conservation is an important company objective.