On Saturday, we officially handed over Phase 1 of a modern multi-purpose Sheep Shearing and Hydroponics Facility in EliXeni Village, Cofimvaba. The R36 million investment brings together traditional farming and modern agricultural technology to create sustainable economic opportunities in three villages: EliXeni, eThunzini and Ezingxiweni. The Eastern Cape is part of our broader labour-sending footprint, comprising communities that play an important role in supplying skills, talent and people to the mining industry. While these communities may not host our mining operations, they are a significant part of the social and economic ecosystem that supports our business. Through Exxaro Matla Mine’s Social and Labour Plan (SLP), the Crosby Moni Agricultural Centre, named after Matla Mine’s late trailblazing employee who hailed from Cofimvaba. This facility demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the benefits of mining extend beyond our mining operations. It is designed to support local sheep farmers and hydroponics beneficiaries, while creating opportunities for employment, sustainable income generation and local food production. The scale of the opportunity: • The shearing facility is equipped to process up to 500 sheep per day during the annual shearing season • The anticipated wool output is approximately 22 418 kg per year • The two hydroponics tunnels have an expected annual production capacity of approximately 90 000 heads of lettuce and spinach. • During the first phase, 74 people benefited from employment opportunities created through the project. The initiative also highlights the value of partnerships between government, communities and the private sector in turning investment into productive assets that can support livelihoods long after project completion. As we mark 20 years since its listing on the JSE, the Cofimvaba facility is a meaningful reflection of what Impact Beyond the Surface means: recognising that sustainable value creation extends beyond our mines to the communities connected to our people, our operations and our broader social and economic footprint. Because the story of mining is not only about where we operate, but also about the communities that help make our industry possible. #Exxaro #PoweringPossibility #20YearsOfImpactBeyondTheSurface
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