The case studies depict some of the initiatives undertaken during FY2023.
Case studies
Sustainability at Tharisa is part of how the business operates. It is defined by clear targets, supported by measurement and delivered through practical initiatives that strengthen resilience and long-term performance.
In a sector where operating conditions are volatile and resource intensity is high, this approach ensures that sustainability is not treated as an abstract goal but as a disciplined way of managing the business.
Targets that set direction
Tharisa has committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 30% by 2030. This target provides a clear line of sight for operational decisions, particularly in how energy is sourced, how emissions are managed and how environmental performance is improved over time.
It also reinforces accountability. Progress is measured against a defined outcome, not general intent.
Measurement that drives accountability
Operational discipline depends on visibility. Tharisa tracks key environmental indicators, including energy consumption and Scope 1 emissions, to monitor performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
This ensures that sustainability is embedded in daily operations. Performance is reviewed, adjustments are made, and improvements are implemented as part of standard operating practice.
Energy as a driver of operational resilience
Energy is one of the clearest areas where sustainability and operational resilience intersect. In southern Africa, electricity supply is constrained, with ongoing reliability challenges, limited generation capacity and rising costs placing sustained pressure on energy-intensive operations.
For mining businesses, this creates two immediate risks: disruption to production and reduced certainty in operating costs.
Tharisa’s energy strategy responds directly to this environment. The focus is on diversifying supply, improving stability and increasing predictability in energy costs over time.
A defined transition in the energy mix
The planned evolution of Tharisa’s electricity supply reflects a structured shift towards a more resilient and balanced model:
- FY2023: 100% Eskom supply
- FY2024 Q4: 63% Eskom and 37% solar
- FY2025 Q4: 9% Eskom, 37% solar and 53% wheeled renewable energy
This progression reduces reliance on a single supplier while increasing the contribution of renewable energy.
How this shift is being delivered
Two key initiatives underpin the transition:
Wheeled renewable energy
A 15-year power purchase agreement with Etana Energy will supply renewable electricity through the national grid from 2026, introducing a significant new energy source into the mix.
On-site solar generation
Solar generation at the operation provides a direct and reliable source of electricity, reducing dependence on grid supply and supporting more stable operations.
Together, these initiatives address both reliability and cost. They reduce exposure to supply constraints and introduce greater certainty in long-term power costs.
Strengthening reliability through storage
As renewable energy becomes a larger part of the energy mix, reliability becomes increasingly important. Tharisa is advancing this through its “mine to megawatt” initiative, linked to Redox One.
The development of a chrome-based redox flow battery provides a practical solution for storing excess solar energy and supporting a consistent supply. This ensures that renewable generation is complemented by the ability to use that energy effectively.
Building resilience through execution
Sustainability at Tharisa is defined by execution. Targets provide direction. Measurement ensures accountability. Operational initiatives deliver tangible change.
This approach strengthens the business in a constrained operating environment. It improves energy security, supports cost management and builds confidence through visible progress.
The result is a model where sustainability is not an aspiration, but a disciplined way of operating that delivers measurable outcomes over time.
As the schooling calendar kicked off this year, Tharisa's SLP and Transformation department accompanied by ward 32 councillor and the Marikana South Africa Police Service (SAPS), embarked on a school visit to hand over school shoes to learners in Marikana Full- Service Primary and Areaganeng Secondary Schools in Marikana West.
One of Tharisa's core values is 'care', this being demonstrated by ensuring that the learners of 2023 receive the care their feet need. The donation comprised 99 pairs for the primary and 48 pairs for the secondary school.
Both Principals of the schools conveyed a message of gratitude to Tharisa for the generous donation and implored them never to stop the good work of supporting the local communities. They also emphasised how this donation will help reinstate confidence in its learners and it will push them to attend classes.
In the remarks, Tharisa emphasised the importance of the culture of learning and reiterated how delighted it is to contribute to the empowerment of these learners and hope this donation will improve their self-esteem.
Mining is finite, at some point the ore will deplete and the mine will cease to exist. In our effort to not leave our host communities as ghost towns, we take steps to alleviate this by providing portable skills training to our employees. Portable skills training equips employees and communities with skills that are outside the mining industry. Skills development remains an integral part of Tharisa, and the dedicated SLP team strives to meet commitments.
In total, 11 employees recently attended hospitality training for two weeks at the Tharisa conference centre. The training entailed food handling, maintaining proper hygiene, baking and basic legislation aligned with hospitality. All the candidates completed the training and were awarded certificates in a closing ceremony.
Liana Omphile Masilo is a 23-year-old Electrical Engineer from the Maditlhokwa community in Marikana. She graduated in September 2023 from the Vaal University of Technology.
Her mother was a Tharisa employee for over 10 years until her retirement in 2023. Liana is the first person in her bloodline to attend and graduate from an institution of higher education – breaking generational chains and steering a path for those who will come behind her.
When we spoke about the benefits she has received from the Tharisa bursary programme, Liana expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity awarded to her by Tharisa. 'This opportunity showed me that I had the potential to achieve whatever I want...anything is possible only if you put your mind to it – just be patient.'
Liana is a Processing Instrumental intern and would like to study further to obtain her Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering and work for Tharisa Minerals.
Technology has become integral to our daily lives, influencing various spheres, including education. The collaborative effort between Tharisa and Enaex saw the donation of eight interactive boards valued at over half a million rands to Marikana Primary School.
The donation ceremony took place on Thursday, 29 July as the principal of Marikana Primary received the interactive boards on behalf of the school. The handover ceremony was attended by both the Tharisa and Enaex teams including their executives, respectively.
These innovative tools are set to change the teaching and learning experience, offering a wide range of benefits that extend beyond the traditional classroom setup. The interactive boards will facilitate a more interactive and engaging learning experience, allowing teachers to incorporate multimedia and interactive tools in their lessons.
Meet Thabang William Mbhele, a 23-year-old male from the small town of Modderspruit in the Bojanala District Municipality, North West province. He is in the final year of his Mining Engineering degree at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and is one of the beneficiaries of the Tharisa bursary programme.
Our relationship with Thabang began in 2018 when he was selected among high-performing students at Marikana High School to receive funding from the Company. When we sat down with Thabang and asked him what his plans were after matric before his interaction with Tharisa, his response was, 'I come from a community where higher education is a far-fetched dream; once you get your matric you look for a job. I lacked motivation because I didn't know anyone in my immediate family or circle that had gone to university'.
When asked what he has learned through this experience, Thabang was not shy about sharing how going to university has introduced him to new challenges and moulded and prepared him to face the real world. 'Going to university has introduced me to the opportunity to learn and dream bigger, thanks to Tharisa'.
His goals for the future include branching into rock engineering and working for Tharisa Minerals.
