ASX-listed Jupiter Mines lists in its inaugural sustainability report, published on April 15, key areas for emission reduction such as optimising fuel use, exploring regenerative braking systems in its truck fleet and implementing other energy-saving solutions.

While this is Jupiter’s first sustainability report, a consistent focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance has characterised the company’s activities, business relationships and operations since its inception, the company states.

The report provides an overview of ESG performance at the Tshipi manganese mine, in South Africa’s Northern Cape province.

The mine’s operating company, Tshipi é Ntle Manganese Mining, is 49.9%-owned by Jupiter and 50.1% by Ntsimbintle Mining.

Some of Jupiter’s initiatives in the past year have included an expansion of a stormwater dam near the Tshipi mine to enhance the capture and use of rainwater, to reduce reliance on fresh potable water. This also aids the mine’s dust suppression efforts.

The stormwater dam’s catchment capacity was increased from 39 000 m³ to 91 000 m³, which bolsters the mine’s capacity to capture water during the rainy season and prepare for flood events.

The company achieved a substantial 54% reduction in potable water use in the 2023 financial year ended June 30, 2023, compared with the prior year.

The Tshipi mine also managed to successfully repurpose 75 m³ of 117 m³ polluted soil generated in the year, which has been used in the construction of road berms and walkways.

The mine has, overall, saved 12% of polluted soil being sent to landfills since the 2019 financial year, contributing to its ultimate goal of zero waste to landfill.

On the dust front, Tshipi will formalise and implement a comprehensive downstream dust fallout monitoring and management policy this year, which will include the establishment of a rigorous audit function to ensure continued improvement and compliance with environmental standards.

Tshipi will also conduct a greenhouse-gas assessment, to guide the mine’s reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

On the social front, Jupiter MD and CEO Brad Rogers highlights that the company has achieved 46% female participation at management level at Tshipi, as well as invested R10-million into socioeconomic projects and corporate social initiatives in South Africa.

The company also granted seven fully covered tertiary scholarships to South African students in the 2023 financial year.

The Tshipi workforce currently comprises 70% local community members.

Jupiter aims to have 25% female representation on the Tshipi workforce and to continue prioritising local supplier preference.

Jupiter aims to be the largest manganese-producing company globally by 2028, while sustaining and improving ESG, shareholder and customer return outcomes.

The company is in the process of installing solar power at Tshipi, as well as developing an Electric Vehicle Battery Market entry strategy, which will explore the potential to supply battery-grade manganese to the electric vehicle market and contribute to the decarbonisation of passenger transport globally.

"Investments in ESG are not just ethical choices; they are strategic decisions that strengthen our business model, enhance our market position, and ensure the long-term resilience of our company. We have a clear plan to drive our ESG performance forward with transparency and accountability, and I am delighted to share the great work that is already occurring at Tshipi,” Rogers concludes.