Modern Mining May 2023

trajectory

in demand for coal, despite the need for it. This, in turn, has decreased investment in coal companies and we find it exceptionally difficult to fund new proj ects. Collaboration with traders for trade finance is our current solution while we expand our ESG port folio for a more attractive investment portfolio,” says executive head for business development, Ashleigh Hodge Dajee. Power play The mainstay for the 100% black owned entity remains its three coal operations, namely North Block Complex (NBC), New Clydesdale Colliery (NCC) and Ubuntu Colliery, which supply into both the domestic and export markets. All Ndalamo Resources’ operations have supply contracts with various Eskom power stations. “It is critical that we have a base of long-term contracts which provide a guaranteed revenue stream, espe cially in the volatile export market we have witnessed over the past few years.” More than 50% of Ndalamo’s coal is supplied to local power producer Eskom, with the balance sold into the export market. “We are proud that our operating model has led to the successful acquisition and profitable operation of various mothballed opencast and underground mines, including NCC and NBC that were acquired from Exxaro. In addition, we have two development projects, namely the Eloff and Springboklaagte coal operations, which we are currently advancing,” says Rughubir. The New Clydesdale Colliery (NCC), located in Kriel, Mpumalanga Province, consists of the Roodekop and Diepspruit West opencast sec tions and the Diepspruit underground section. It is situated near Eskom’s Kriel Power Station, which it supplies with coal. The company is also in the pro cess of expanding the NCC operation and recently commenced the development of its Middeldrift pit, which will extend the LOM of the operation by an additional 8-10 years. The Middeldrift pit will

“We are proud that our operating model has led to the successful acquisition and profitable operation of various mothballed opencast and underground mines, including NCC and NBC that were acquired from Exxaro. In addition, we have two development projects, namely the Eloff and Springboklaagte coal operations, which we are currently advancing,” says Rughubir.

“The intention is to obtain an energy trading licence and actively participate in the green hydro gen value chain as well as other transition energy solutions,” says Rughubir. Further to this, as part of its diversification strat egy, Ndalamo Resources is currently investigating options related to chrome, iron ore and other key minerals that support energy transition. “Green energy has been at the world’s fore front for many years and has led to the decrease

Below: Conveyer-belt trainees.

May 2023  MODERN MINING  21