Exxaro’s Zeeland Water Treatment Works, which supplies potable water to more than 21 000 residents in the Lephalale Local Municipality in Limpopo, was last week officially re-opened following the completion of a ZAR 110 million upgrade undertaken by the group.
The water treatment works, which was recently identified by the Department of Water Affairs as a supplier of high quality water deserving “Blue Drop” status, is operated by Exxaro’s Grootegeluk mine as part of the mine’s contribution to the local infrastructure.
The 24-month upgrade project enables the facility to provide 40 mega litres of water per day, double its previous capacity, in order to meet the growing needs of the fast developing Lephalale region.
The project is the forerunner of further infrastructure development for Lephalale which includes a ZAR 2,1 billion water pipeline to be built from Mokolo Dam to Lephalale, forming part of the government’s infrastructure development plan.
Speaking at an event marking the successful completion of the upgrade project, Exxaro chief executive officer, Sipho Nkosi, commended the group’s Waterberg infrastructure team which undertook the upgrade project, and noted the key role being played by the team in implementing the Grootegeluk mine’s socio-economic development plan which benefits Lephalale communities.
Lephalale municipal manager, Mr Bob Naidoo said that it was an honour to share the moment of achievement with Exxaro. He said that “There is a lot of development taking place in Lephalale which will see the population double, presenting an increasing need for more water. However, as a result of the relationship between the municipality, Exxaro and Eskom, we have been able to conclude an agreement to build a new ZAR 2,1 billion water pipeline.” Mr Naidoo added that the municipality was proud of the water facility’s Blue Drop achievement and would challenge the number one position in the country next year.
Also at the event, Exxaro’s executive general manager for the coal business, Mxolisi Mgojo, said Exxaro’s growth plans for the Waterberg region supported the group’s strategy of becoming a US$20 billion organisation by 2020.
He aid that “The type of growth required for us to reach our goal will largely come from the Waterberg region. In the past, stakeholders have questioned how we plan to grow with challenges such as the lack of a logistics and water infrastructure. However, this infrastructure development is now happening since the government has identified the Waterberg region as key to South Africa’s economic growth. Exxaro is about to commission its Grootegeluk Medupi Expansion Project which is by far the biggest project undertaken in the mining industry in recent years. Thereafter the Waterberg will produce between 36 and 40 million tonnes of coal per annum. We also have a greenfields Thabametsi mine planned for the region.”
Mgojo emphasised the importance of mines taking cognisance of the needs of communities around their operations. “Issues of job creation and unemployment among the youth remain a challenge. The mining industry needs to continue to address issues of transformation, especially economic transformation. There are rural communities around our operations which have specific needs and Exxaro will continue to partner with local governments and communities to align these needs with our social and labour plans as well as the mining charter requirements.”
Exxaro’s Waterberg infrastructure project manager, Jan Joubert, congratulated the role players involved in delivering a successful upgrade of the water treatment facility, including the Lephalale Local Municipality, the departments of Trade and Industry and Water Affairs, Civcon and BKS consulting engineers.
Source - Exxaro
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