JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Mpumalanga-based coal miner Keaton Energy on Friday reported a 4%, or 52 372 t, drop in washed 2- and 4-Seam thermal coal delivered to Eskom in the half-year ended September 30.
The company, spearheaded by CEO Mandi Glad, explained that the volume drop in its delivery of 139-million tonnes could be attributed to reception constraints at the parastatal, which prevented delivery of full production in the period.
Keaton further pointed out that 5-Seam metallurgical coal sales also decreased over the comparable period by 36%, from 56 156 t to 35 961 t, which is in line with the geological model.
Spare capacity within the 5-Seam plant was used for additional Eskom production, as before.
Production of B-grade coal was also discontinued for this purpose, while discard and slurry sales amounted to 242 415 t, up from 17 704 t during the first half of the year.
Meanwhile, Glad noted that it was pleasing to report a solid quarter’s production at Vanggatfontein. “The recent grant of a water use licence for the Moabsvelden project allows us to complete the preparation for its development. This fully permitted addition to Vanggatfontein will see combined production rise to four-million tonnes a year of washed coal.”
Keaton’s Vaalkrantz colliery, in KwaZulu-Natal, remains on care and maintenance, as it is still awaiting Section 11 Ministerial consent.
Edited by: Samantha Herbst
Creamer Media Deputy Editor
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