JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – State-owned Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has re-opened one line on the coal line and expected the re-opening of the second line to follow later on Thursday.

This came after 55 wagons of a train headed to Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) derailed, near Vryheid, late on Monday evening.

TFR said that heavy downpours in the region made it difficult for the repair teams who have worked non-stop, to restore the line.

“Not much traffic was lost during the closure of the line because coal mines were affected by heavy rains making it difficult to mine the product. Freight Rail will make up the backlog of traffic on the coal line by Tuesday,” said TFR spokesperson Mike Asefovitz.

Exports through the terminal were said to have been unaffected by the derailment, because of high stock levels at RBCT.

The seven major shareholders now making use of the coal line are Anglo Coal, BHP Billiton, Xstrata, Sasol Mining, Total Coal, Exxaro and Kangra Coal.

To subscribe to Mining Weekly's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.