South Africa’s largest black empowered mining resources group Exxaro, alongside SA Investment Conference (SAIC), hosted a media tour for more than 50 journalists to highlight its commitment to contribute to the growth and economic development of the country.
Exxaro committed R20 billion to building and expanding its production portfolio in the short to mid-term future. The media excursion – which included a tour of the Exxaro head office, the conneXXion and a site visit to the Belfast digital and connected mine – was an opportunity for Exxaro to showcase its current and future investments and to motivate the private sector to support the President’s Investment Drive to raise $100-billion in five years.
Exxaro CEO Mxolisi Mgojo said: “We at Exxaro, know better than most the vital role that partnerships with government and other key stakeholders can play in achieving transformation in South Africa’s socio-economic landscape. Our R20 billion investment, between 2018 and 2023, is testament to our purpose as it is about co-creating, with government, solutions to the complex social and economic challenges facing our country.”
During his address, Yunus Hoosen, InvestSA CEO said: “We thank organisations such as Exxaro which continue to invest in the country, and call on more domestic companies to invest in South Africa and play their part in moving the country forward. To attract more investment, government is convening the second South Africa Investment Conference (Accelerating Economic Growth by Building Partnerships) from 5 to 7 November this year at the Sandton Convention Centre.”
Exxaro is already underway with its growth ambitions and is injecting approximately R10 billion into expansion projects in the Lephalale region, where the flagship Grootegeluk operation is located, and another R10 billion in the Mpumalanga area where the remainder of its mines are situated, including the Belfast mine, well known as the first digital and connected mine in South Africa.
The new mine – which is located about 10 km south-west of Belfast, on the southern side of the N4 highway – is also the first of its kind in South Africa to have a ‘digital twin’.
The digitally connected mine took more than 20 years to develop and its digital footprint perfectly captures the essence of Exxaro’s 2026 Strategy that combines technology and collaboration as a catalyst for significant change. Belfast Coal Mine aims to support the strategic vision of Exxaro by increasing steam coal production and diversifying its coal markets.
The Exxaro Belfast mine recently won an MTN IOT award for Best Industry Solution category, for an IOT-based production system that manages its mining fleet.
