Grootegeluk Mine, in collaboration with the Lephalale Local Municipality, recently hosted its first business investment summit aimed at unlocking growth and opportunities for the Lephalale community.

Facilitated by Vusi Thembekwayo – a global business speaker and private equity managing partner at Watermark Afrika – the summit aimed to foster improved skills, create sustainable jobs, and support entrepreneurship in Lephalale.

During the event, Vusi addressed the need for access to information and called on Lephalale entrepreneurs to venture into the manufacturing industry, instead of just buying the finished products they supply.

Aligned with Exxaro’s Social Impact Strategy, Grootegeluk made substantial pledges towards local development on the day, including:

• R30 million for emerging farmers in Lephalale to encourage locals to participate in agriculture.
• R60 million to support small business owners to take part in the mining sector by manufacturing and supplying PPE.
• R50 million for education to support Grade 12 learners’ camps, bursaries, Wi-Fi, and more.

Exxaro also committed R1.5 billion to solar energy to meet the mine’s power requirements sustainably.