New Inyanda Supports Exxaro’s South African Export Ambitions


Exxaro Resources recently commissioned its new Inyanda coal mine near Witbank, Mpumalanga.
From left to right: Dr. Con Fauconnier, Mike Kilbride (recently retired COO), and Sipho Nkosi (current CEO).
Diversified South African-based resources group Exxaro Resources commissioned its new Inyanda coal mine which is currently ramping-up to produce 1.5 million metric tons per year (mt/y) of A-grade thermal coal for the export market. The open cast mine, situated near Witbank in Mpumalanga, has been developed at a cost of R269 million and is expected to achieve its full production capacity of 1.5 million mt/y in the third quarter of 2008.

“Inyanda plays a key role in Exxaro’s strategic objective to build a strong position in the export coal market. We aim to capitalise on the buoyant global market for lucrative high quality thermal coal,” said Mxolisi Mgojo, executive general manager for Exxaro’s coal operations.

Exxaro’s export entitlement through Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) of 6.3 million mt/y is being met by production from new developments such as Inyanda and the company’s Mafube joint venture with Anglo Coal, as well as increased production from its existing operations. The group plans to export 4 million mt/y through RBCT by the end of 2008 and increase to the total entitlement of 6.3 million mt/y once the RBCT Phase V expansions have been completed in the second half of 2009.

Commissioning of the Inyanda mine was fast tracked which resulted in runof mine coal being supplied to Exxaro’s New Clydesdale prep plant for beneficiation and export just four months after Inyanda site establishment. Run-ofmine was channeled through New Clydesdale to mitigate loss of production at the mine. Some 1 million mt of product will be produced in this initial phase which will end in December 2008.

As featured in Womp 08 Vol 8 - www.womp-int.com