Secunda Operations

Maintain the condition based water intensity (receiving feedwater <300 uS/cm) at the FY16 baseline of 11,3 m³ of water per ton of saleable product.

SO’s average water intensity for FY24 is 11.72 cubic meter water used per ton of total production (m³/t) which is above the FY25 target and represents a 10% increase compared to FY23.

The increase was as a result of higher energy and steam demands. Higher steam use is mainly attributed to an increased demand for low-pressure steam on the flares and production challenges.

Develop a water loss reduction strategy to address unaccounted water losses by 2025.

Work to identify potential unmetered water losses is continuing. During FY24 a leak on the reticulations was identified and plugged resulting in a R4.2 million loss prevention.       

To work towards achieving green drop certification status by 2025.

Work remains on-track to address findings identified during the 2022 audit.

Support multi-stakeholder catchment assessments to identify opportunities to advance management of the Upper Vaal including Waterval catchment.

The Grootdraai dam water quality study conducted in collaboration with Rhodes University, Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Rand Water, Eskom and Water Research Commission (WRC) was completed. The project included development of a water quality model for the catchment and modelling of land use activities and climate change trends in scenario development. This has laid the foundation for effective management strategies that should be continuously updated with the latest available data.

Commit to continue beyond fence-line involvement in communities to address water, sanitation and other priorities.

Support was provided to the community during the extensive potable water outage experienced in the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM). Sasol commissioned water tankers to distribute water and installed water tanks at schools.

Repaired leaks in the distribution network to Bethal town in collaboration with GMM which included replacement of old pipelines. This ensured that the challenge faced to fill the Bethal reservoir was overcome, ensuring a more sustainable supply of water to the community.

Sasolburg Operations

A 7.5% reduction in fresh-water usage for production on the Sasolburg sites by end of 2025 as measured against a FY21 baseline. This physically equates to a reduction in water use of 4 ML/day or to operate within a maximum water consumption of 50 ML/day as measured against a FY21 baseline.

The Sasolburg Operations average daily net fresh water used for production during FY24 was 55.43 ML/day. This represents a 10% increase on the baseline value of 50ML/day, similar to the value recorded in FY23.

The higher water use was as a result of unavailability of water for recycling purposes and capital constraints that are posing a risk to achieving the FY25 target.

The operational efficiency focus areas to achieve the FY25 target are to maximise the dedicated domestic sewer re-use and to maximise use of final effluent to fire water. The first phase of the project was completed and commissioned towards the end of FY24.

To continue in pursuing the existing potable water target for the Sasolburg sites of an average monthly use of 150 ML /month (approx. 5 ML/day) over a financial year by end of 2025.

The Sasolburg Operations potable water consumption running average for FY24 was 171 ML/month, which is 14% above the FY25 target. The higher usage is mainly attributed to infrastructure challenges on the raw water abstraction system which necessitated supplementing raw water with potable water for production use.

Infrastructure challenges were addressed towards the end of FY24 and is expected to contribute towards lower potable water figures going forward.

To continue to actively drive water loss reduction programs by addressing water leaks which are within operational control.

A portion of the Zuikerbosch raw water supply line was replaced in FY23. This reduced water losses. A project was also launched to replace sections of the Midland firewater system to reduce water leaks. The inflow and outflow water meters were repaired and reinstated. This is to monitor water losses on supply lines.

Maintaining SEO’s Green Drop Certification for the Sasolburg Bio-works.

Some information gaps were identified in a report issued by DWS during November 2023, but these were assessed and rectified.

Providing support to multi-stakeholder catchment assessments to identify opportunities to advance management of the Upper Vaal.

Sasolburg Operations signed an MoU with Rand Water to investigate the feasibility for an offtake of treated effluent from the Sedibeng works as an alternative source to river water.

Continuing beyond fence-line involvement in communities where appropriate to address water, sanitation and other environmental priorities.

Sasolburg Operations continued to support the Metsimaholo Local Municipality:

• Funding of a greater Sasolburg/Zamdela sanitation system review to determine opportunities to reduce loss of raw sewage and to reduce stormwater ingress (both these initiatives can impact positively on Sasol’s operation of the sewage works).
• Conducted remedial works on sewer pump stations and repaired a collapsed pipe connect to the WWTW.
• Routine maintenance formed part of the scope. Once completed the fully functional facilities will be formally handed back to the municipality.

Mining

To ensure potable water use does not increase more than 15% against FY19 baseline of 1520 ML by FY25.

Mining’s water use for FY24 was1560 ML for FY24 which only represents a 2.6% increase on the FY19 baseline and is well below the 15% limit in increase.