Gold producer Pan African Resources (PAR) is gearing to release its inaugural biodiversity report next month, which outlines the group’s approach to biodiversity conservation across its operations in South Africa and Australia.

The report, aligned with global frameworks – including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and global organisation Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures – demonstrates the central role of biodiversity conservation in the group’s sustainability strategy, says PAR investor relations head Hethen Hira.

Recognising that mining can significantly impact on ecosystems through habitat destruction, pollution and land degradation, he points out that, in contrast, healthy ecosystems support water filtration, climate regulation and soil stability, all of which are essential to restoring and improving the environment.

“Biodiversity loss can increase operational costs, regulatory risks and community opposition. Conversely, proactive biodiversity management enhances trust, reduces risk and supports long-term viability,” elaborates Hira.

PAR partners with conservation nongovernmental organisations, with every site having dedicated environmental teams responsible for implementing biodiversity action plans.

These plans are guided by the framework of global organisation the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), specifically the recommended locate, evaluate, assess and prepare (LEAP) approach, which PAR applies across all sites to identify biodiversity risks and dependencies.

PAR’s approach to biodiversity conservation has enabled the company to progress its operations, particularly in the restoration of wetlands and riparian zones at the Mogale Tailings Retreatment (MTR) operation, in Gauteng, as well as the Evander mine, and Barberton Mines, in Mpumalanga. This resulted in the return of aquatic species to water courses and the restoration of ecosystem services.

Further, about 130 ha of degraded land “scarred by years of neglect by previous operators”, including 37 ha of wetland, have been rehabilitated at the MTR operation, adds Hira.

Water Conservation
PAR has made significant progress in its water conservation efforts, particularly through its reverse-osmosis water treatment plants; this aligns with the company’s aim to reduce environmental risk and enhance resilience in extreme weather, says Hira.

It has also restored natural water flows at Barberton Mines through concurrent rehabilitation and the removal of legacy tailings near sensitive water courses.

Further, at MTR, PAR has invested in a modern, high-specification potable water treatment plant to treat acid mine drainage from legacy shafts to potable quality.

Currently under construction, the plant will produce three-million litres a day and is expected to be commissioned in early 2026. Reliance on municipal water sources will be significantly reduced, in addition to improving process efficiency and worker safety, outlines Hira.

Already playing a pivotal role in reducing reliance on municipal water, the Evander mine’s water treatment plant performance remains strong, with more than 833 000 m3 of potable water produced in the 2025 financial year.

Consequently, Evander was able to supply potable water to the community following repeated municipal water outages during the reporting period.

“In a region already facing water scarcity, this initiative not only conserves a critical resource but also supports community resilience,” says Hira.

To meet growing demand and enhance water security, the PAR board has approved a Phase 2 water treatment plant expansion project at Evander and a 30 000 m3/d water treatment plant at the MTR operation. Construction of Evander Phase 2 started in June and that of the MTR treatment plant is scheduled to start by the end of October this year.

Renewable Energy
PAR has also made strides in energy sustainability, increasing its renewable-energy mix to 8.8% of total consumption in the 2025 financial year, up from 6.6% in the 2024 financial year, says Hira.

Aligned with the company’s ongoing initiative to increase use of energy from renewable sources and reduce emissions, PAR also commissioned the 8.75 MW Fairview solar PV plant, at its Fairview mine, in Barberton, Mpumalanga, in August 2024.

The company also continued operations at the 9.97 MW Evander Solar 1 plant, which, commissioned in May 2022, was the first solar renewable-energy plant of its size to be commissioned by a mining company, he notes.

Combined, these projects avoided the release of 12 000 t of carbon-equivalent-emissions and are projected to have saved between R110-million and R120-million in electricity costs since their commissioning.

The solar PV plants are expected to contribute more savings as Eskom implements above-inflation price increases in the coming years.

Feasibility studies for a 20 MW Evander Phase 2 solar and 20 MW MTR solar PV plant have been completed, with construction planned for the 2026 financial year.

Meanwhile, Barberton Blue – PAR’s 15 ha environmental-, social- and governance-linked blueberry farm – permanently employs 18 people and seasonally up to 320 people, 80% of whom are women.

Developed on land owned by Barberton Mines, the farm supplies premium produce to local and international markets, says Hira.

At the farm, sustainability is embedded through practices such as water-efficient fertigation, environment-friendly pest control and compliance with global agricultural standards. Community engagement is further embedded through initiatives such as a beekeeping partnership, youth career days and seasonal worker recognition programmes.