Safety

Sumo focuses on keeping its zero fatality rate in its mines, reducing incidents and injuries, encouraging positive leadership behavior and instilling a culture of care amongst employees and contractors. We are guided, and comply with the South African Mine, Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996) in terms of recording and reporting accident statistics.

Environment

Sumo Coal is committed to ensuring that mining and beneficiation is done in an environmentally responsible manner. Environmental management plans cover the following legislation (and the regulations promulgated hereunder);

• Constitution of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996);
• The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 28 of 2002);
• The National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998);
• The National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998);
• The Environment Conservation Act, 1989 (Act 73 of 1989);
• The Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act, 1965 (Act 45 of 1965);
• The National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act 39 of 2004);
• The Hazardous Substances Act, 1973 (Act 15 of 1973); and
• The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999).

Studies of the immediate environment are carried out several years before a coal mine opens, in order to define the existing conditions and to identify potential problems. The studies look at the impact of mining on:

• surface and ground water
• soils
• local land use
• native vegetation
• wildlife populations.

Findings are then reviewed as part of the process leading to the award of a mining right by the relevant government authorities (DME & DEAT). Sumo Coal understands that coal mining is only a temporary use of land, so it is vital that rehabilitation of land takes place once mining operations have stopped. A detailed rehabilitation or reclamation plan is designed and approved for each coal mine, covering the period from the start of operations until well after mining has finished. Sumo has operated couple of mines in the past and ensured that rehabilitation was conducted in a line with best practice and comply with statutory requirements.

Mine reclamation activities are undertaken gradually – with the shaping and contouring of spoil piles, replacement of topsoil, seeding with grasses and planting of trees taking place on the mined-out areas. Care is taken to relocate streams, wildlife, and other valuable resources. This is done to ensure that reclaimed land can still be used for agriculture, forestry, wildlife habitation and recreation.