Name and Location
Impumelelo replacement coal project, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Client
Sasol.

Project Description
The move to develop the mine forms part of what Sasol has previously described as an “intense capital replacement” programme involving four significant projects, namely Thubelisha, Impumelelo, Shondoni and Tweedraai, which will replace the long-serving Twistdraai, Brandspruit, Middelbult and part of the Syferfontein operations respectively.

Impumelelo, in Secunda, Mpumalanga, will replace the old Brandspruit mine and produce coal for the Sasol Synfuels plant.

The project involves the construction of a new 8.5-million-ton-a-year coal mine, which is upgradeable to 10.5-million tons a year.

The No 4 and No 2 coal seams will be mined simultaneously at the project, with the thinner and more complex No 2 seam lying below the No 4. The final shaft depth will be about 225 m below the surface.

After the first section is delivered in 2014, the mine will build up to full production, with 13 continuous miners and six stonework sections in 2016.

The project includes the development of service, ventilation and decline shafts, materials handling systems (including a 28 km overland conveyor, surface surge bunkers, underground conveyors and surge bins) and all the mine infrastructure needed to support operations.

The 11.7-m-diameter men-and-materials shaft will be 240 m deep, with a four-sided station on the No 4 seam and a three-sided station on the No 2 seam.

The 6.7-m-diameter ventilation shaft will also be sunk to 240 m, with access through the four-sided station and the three-sided station to the coal production sections.

The shaft complex has been designed to operate for a minimum period of 35 years.

Value
The project is estimated at R4.6-billion.

Duration
The project is expected to be completed towards the end of 2014.

Latest Developments
Sasol expects Impumelelo to reach beneficial operation in the first half of next year.

Sasol Mining will be required to make a decision on the next repalcement mine in 2024, which is likely to involve Impumelelo's remaining southern areas.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
RSV Enco-Goba coal joint venture (engineering, procurement and construction management implementation), Murray & Roberts Cementation (men-and-materials and ventilation shafts, as well as decline coal seam development on the No 2 and 4 seams), Concor Civils (subcontracted to provide temporary civil works for sinking and development) and ELB Engineering Services (EPC – materials handling conveyor), Veyance Technologies (manufacture and delivery of steel cord conveyor belting), Cascade Logistics (transportation of belt rolls), Goodyear Engineered Products (cover compound).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
RSV Enco-Goba joint venture, tel +27 11 498 6010, fax + 27 11 498 6210 or email enco@rsvenco.com.
Murray & Roberts Cementation, tel +27 11 201 5000, fax +27 11 201 5500 or email info.cementation@murrob.com.