Big blast launches new Eastern Cape coal region
1st Jun 2012
JUNE 1 – The start of production at the Elitheni coal mine, marked by a ceremonial initial ground-breaking blast of 250,000t of overburden on June 1 by Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet, represents a historic moment in the evolution of the Eastern Cape Coalfields in South Africa.
Private company Elitheni Coal has proven over 200Mt coal resources in the Eastern Cape and has signed an initial three-year offtake agreement for the first 2Mt of production with new international steel trading group Trasteel International SA.
Coal will be exported through the Port of East London, with the first vessel scheduled to dock in November 2012.
Provincial authorities say the exploration by Elitheni Coal leaves a further 95% of the Eastern Cape coal rights area still to be explored.
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