Modern Mining July 2018

COAL

Sasol has officially opened its new R4,5 billion Shondoni colliery near Secunda in Mpumalanga as part of its R14 billion mine replacement programme. The event was attended by a number of VIPs, including the Minister of Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe. Meaning ‘a place of wealth’, Shondoni replaces Sasol Mining’s Middelbult colliery, which has reached the end of its lifespan. The other two mines forming part of the mine replacement programme are Thubelisha and Impumelelo. Sasol inaugurates Shondoni

S asol Mining is South Africa’s third largest coal producer and runs one of the world’s largest underground coal-mining complexes. It produces over 40 million tons of coal annu- ally of which more than 90 % is used as criti- cal feedstock for the production of Sasol’s high quality synthetic fuels and a wide range of chemicals. Sasol’s Joint President and CEO, Bongani Nqwababa, said the mine replacement pro- gramme supports Sasol’s strategy to operate its Southern African facilities until 2050. The pro- gramme commenced in 2009. “It is also part of our capital expenditure in South Africa which, over the last five years, has amounted to more than R94 billion,” said Nqwababa. Distinguishing Shondoni from Sasol’s other collieries is the use of renewable energy, which includes the use of solar geysers and heat pumps and the maximum utilisation of natural light. In addition, movement sensors in buildings switch

lights automatically off when there is no movement. The mine also holds the record of having the longest single flight conveyor without an intermediate booster drive in Africa, at 21 km. The con-

veyor, consisting of five horizontal curves in a ‘C’ shape, is designed for 2 400 t/h and an operating capacity of 2 000 t/h. The installed drive capacity is 5 MW with four drives at the head and a single drive at the tail. Low rolling resistance conveyor belting has been installed with HDPE rollers to reduce conveyor noise and power consumption. Interestingly, a 1,4 km noise barrier wall has been constructed along a section of the over- land conveyor to minimise noise to the local community. In an innovative departure from conventional practice, the winder house was constructed on surface and lifted with one lift into position

Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe (fifth from the right in the front row) is seen here with VIP guests, senior executives of Sasol and Shondoni employees at the inauguration of the mine.

22  MODERN MINING  July 2018