Black-controlled JSE-listed Exxaro Resources has spent R250-million on a water treatment plant at its Matla coal mine, in Mpumalanga, which turns 10-million litres (Mℓ) of polluted underground mine water into clean drinking water every day. Seen at last week’s opening are Exxaro Coal finance manager Mellis Walker and Department of Water Affairs deputy director Stanford Macevele. The mine and the surrounding communities reuse 2.5 Mℓ of the recycled water as potable water and the remaining 7.5 Mℓ is discharged into the nearby Olifants river for downstream use. Matla experiences significant water ingress into its underground mine, leading to flooding risk, which the plant mitigates.