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Investor relations contacts

Vice President: Investor Relations
Zanele.salman@aeciworld.com
+27 11 806 8705

Physical Address
AECI Place, 24 The Woodlands, Woodlands Drive, Woodmead, Sandton, South Africa, 2191
Postal Address
Private Bag X21, Gallo Manor, 2052

T +27 11 806 8700
E aeciinvestorrelations@aeciworld.com

GPS: 26º03’33,55”S and 28º05’15,29”

History

Our 100-year journey – key milestones and achievements

A century ago, the amalgamation of a leading global entity with a South African powerhouse resulted in the establishment of AECI, originally known as African Explosives & Industries Limited. This move took place in conjunction with a notable boom in the mining industry in South Africa, driven by the increased demand for natural resources across the world. AECI swiftly established itself as a leader in the sector as it pioneered optimising the use of mining explosives.

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1924

African Explosives and Industries Limited registered, amalgamation between Nobel’s SA interests and De Beers Consolidated Mines, declared the biggest commercial explosives factory in the world

1931

Sir Ernest Oppenheimer is appointed chairman of African Explosives and Industries Limited

1932

Production at No 1 Ammonia Plant begins. Company becomes world leader in explosives and chemical technology

1933

New ammonium nitrate explosive tested

1944

Company name changed to African Explosives and Chemical Industries Limited

R&D consolidated at Pinelands, Western Cape

1957

Introduced capability for sequential delay timing for capped fuse systems and igniter cord

1959

Dynagel, a low nitroglycerin content, water-resistant explosive introduced – attracted global attention and accolade

1960

First urea plant in Africa opened at Modderfontein, supplying agri industry

1961

Production of black powder and BGP safety fuse commenced at Modderfontein, Gauteng

1962

Employees now at 13 515. At this tage, estimations at 1 million people employed by the company over 67 years

1963

Annual group revenue exceeds ZAR100 million

Somerset West, Western Cape makes first pentolite booster

1966

AECI listed on the JSE, trade code AFE

1967

Modderfontein begins producing PETN and detonator cord

No 3 Ammonia Plant in Umbogintwini, KwaZulu-Natal with ancillary urea plant

1968

Sinex Slurry explosives developed on-site mixing techniques, ushering in a new era in explosives surface technology

1971

Fuse heads manufacturing starts, now completely independent of importing

1972

Company name changed to AE&CI Ltd, in order to facilitate financial investments from abroad

1974

New nitrogen complex known as No 4 Ammonia Plant, built in Modderfontein

1976

Company name changed to AECI Limited

1978

Filed first emulsion explosive patent

1980

R&D in narrow reef assembly (NRA) shock tube system started

1982

First new explosives factory since 1908 opened at Mankwe, near Rustenburg

Powergel bulk emulsion introduced to the surface mining industry

Non-electrical systems introduced

1983

Mankwe factory came on stream for manufacture of safety fuse

No 3 Ammonia Plant (est 1967), mothballed (due to OPEC oil crisis)

1989

Introduction of emulsion chemical gassing sensitisation technology

1993

ICI exchanged 25% of its shares in AECI Ltd for 51% of the newly-formed AECI Explosives Ltd

1996

100 years of producing explosives at Modderfontein

1996

100 years of producing explosives at Modderfontein

1998

AECI exercised pre-emptive option to repurchase ICI’s 51% share in AECI Explosives LTD, thus regaining 100% ownership

2000

Closure of No 4 Ammonia Plant (est 1974)

2003

AECI and Dyno Nobel Norway joint venture, Detnet

2004

25.1% acquisition in AEL by Tiso Group

2006

ISAP plant up, first detonator produced

2015

AECI acquires Southern Canned Products

2018

AECI acquires Schirm, with operations in USA and Germany

AECI acquires Much Asphalt

2020

Improchem renamed, AECI Water

2023

IAECI develops Group strategy, refocusing on mining explosives and chemicals, and will divest from seven acquired businesses. New strategy is to double EBITDA by 2026 and achieve global mining market position of #3 by 2030

2024

AECI celebrates its centenary anniversary on 21 March 2024

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