Modern Mining August 2020

COAL

Record plant throughput for Khanye Colliery

Canyon Coal’s Khanye Colliery has achieved a major production milestone. The operation processed 204 480 tonnes in June, the highest ever processing plant throughput since the commence- ment of operations in January 2018. This, group project manager at Menar Clifford Hallatt tells Munesu Shoko , is indicative of the throughput ramp-up process, which has been gradual to date.

D espite the tough operational conditions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Khanye Colliery posted its record plant throughput in June this year. The monthly processing plant throughput of 204 480 tonnes (t) surpassed the previous highest throughput achieved in May 2020, where the plant washed 186 342 t. This is part of the throughput ramp-up process, following the com- missioning of the 400 tph large coal dense medium separator (Larcodems) plant at the start of 2019. Commenting on the achievement in the face of the tough operating climate perpetrated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hallatt tells Modern Mining that the experience and dedication of the on-site management team ensured that downtime and pro- duction losses were kept to a minimum. “In addition, the mine received exemption from the Department of Minerals & Energy shortly after

Clifford Hallatt, group project manager at Menar.

the announcement of the national lockdown. This aided in minimising the effects of the pandemic on production,” says Hallatt. In terms of its health and safety protocols, Hallatt says the company was quick to draft a comprehen- sive policy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Standard Operating Procedures were designed to execute the policy. It was communicated to all staff who fully cooperated,” he says.

The newly built 400 tph Larcodems plant was commissioned at the start of 2019.

26  MODERN MINING  August 2020