Coal miner Exxaro has advanced considerably on progressing the generation of renewables to supply electricity to its own mining operations, newly appointed Exxaro MD for Energy Leon Groenewald said in response to Mining Weekly during Thursday’s media conference at which the JSE-listed coal, energy and ferrous markets company Exxaro reported record earnings before tax interest depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of R19 002-million in the 12 months to December 31. Groenewald said financial close on the large-scale solar facility at Lephalale, which is being reported in alternating current (AC) rather than direct current (DC) terms, is expected in the next couple of weeks.