MZILA MTHENJANE, EXECUTIVE HEAD, STRATEGY AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AT EXXARO RESOURCES

Coal and heavy minerals mining company Exxaro said on Thursday its headline earnings per share were up 42 percent to R17.30 in the six months ended June 30. Exxaro said revenue increased by two percent to R12 billion, but net operating profit was down 24 percent at R2.4 billion. Exxaro, which has interests in the coal, TiO2, ferrous and energy sectors, declared an interim dividend of 864 cents per share. It said increasing geopolitical risks and aggressive trade policies were anticipated to weigh on global economic activity during the second half of 2019. "In terms of the global coal market, we do not see a recovery from the current pricing and demand balance," the company said.