Modern Mining November 2018

COAL

Fast-growing coal miner Canyon Coal has officially opened its fifth mine, Khanye. The new mine, located near Bronkhorstspruit, will exploit a reserve of 39 million tons of coal, sufficient for a mine life of 15 years. An opencast operation, Khanye – which has cost R500 million to develop – will produce at a rate of 200 000 ROM tons per month once in full production. Canyon launches its fifth mine

T he opening ceremony was at- tended by a number of dignitar- ies, including Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, Daniel Jaeggi, President of Mercuria, a Swiss-based company and investment part- ner of Canyon, and the Swiss Ambassador to South Africa, Helene Budlinger-Artieda. Representing the traditional authority was Prince George Mahlangu, who said that min- ing would help alleviate poverty in the area by providing jobs. He said it was important for Canyon to continue engaging with the lo- cal community to ensure sustainable mining and community stability. Among the speakers at the opening was Canyon director Rudzani Mudogwa, whose company is one of the empowerment part- ners. He provided a high-level presentation on Canyon’s existing operations and its growth plans. The unveiling of the plaque to mark the inauguration of the mine was undertaken by

Minister Mantashe and Canyon’s Execu t i ve Cha i rman , Vus l a t Bayoglu. It was followed by a cer- emonial ‘first blast’ which saw the VIPs pressing on a bank of detona- tors linked to the explosives on the mine site. Guests – and several hun- dred attended the event – watched live images of the blast on a big screen in the marquee where the opening ceremony was held.

Khanye is the second mine to have been opened recently in the Bronkhorstspruit area, the other being the Chilwavhusiku colliery of Black Royalty Minerals, which was inaugurated in January this year and which is targeting 100 000 tons a month of production. Canyon is controlled by Menar Holding, a Luxembourg company, which also owns Zululand Anthracite Colliery (acquired in 2016 from Rio Tinto). Menar is in the process

VIPs at the official opening prepare to detonate the ‘first blast’. Canyon Executive Chairman Vuslat Bayoglu is fourth from the left and Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe fifth from the left (photo: Arthur Tassell).

22  MODERN MINING  November 2018