Mining Weekly

Coal merchant Afri Coal is investigating a coal processing method to reduce carbon emissions, says company director Pauline Coertzen.

Afri Coal is conducting the research and development for this method that it will, once commercialised, provide to its clients that process coal.

“This method, expected to be released before the end of the year, will help our clients obtain benefits for their carbon taxes,” she says.

The development of the new coal-processing method is currently in the feasibility stage and Coertzen believes that Afri Coal “will have a solution to reduce pollution and be more environment friendly while addressing the needs of industry”.

She adds that Afri Coal recognises that it has a responsibility to keep abreast of developments in the industry regarding the production of clean fuel, and assist clients in being proactive when dealing with environmental issues.

Coertzen tells Mining Weekly that Afri Coal is always able to deliver coal to its clients as a result of effectively managing its distribution network.

“Truck tracing and expediting coal form part of our infrastructure and service to meet customers’ requirements, with reliable computer satellite equipment enabling us to know where our in-transit coal product is at any given time.”

One of the most common challenges of bulk coal distribution is transport costs, from loading point to the client, especially on long- distance routes, as this is a major contributing factor to the cost of the raw material for the local manufacturing industry, says Coertzen.

To deal with this problem, Afri Coal offers dedicated transport to its clients who have the benefit of guaranteed supply, provided they accept the higher cost factor of paying for a reliable transporting service, she states.

Coertzen adds that Afri Coal’s knowledge and understanding of the coal and transport industries, as well as its hands-on approach, enable the company to be prepared for challenges such as dealing with industrywide industrial action, vehicle breakdowns and a lack of readily available coal to deliver to clients.

One of the factors that impact on the coal retail industry in South Africa is negative competition that is characterised by monopoly suppliers.

“A very unfair situation prevails in the industry, not only in terms of the coal merchants but it also affects the inland local manufacturing industry,” says Coertzen, adding that competition is a good thing, provided everyone “is on the same playing field with even goal posts”.

However, she says Afri Coal manages to survive and grow as a result of being in tune with the specific needs of its clients, displaying superior product know-ledge, and being service orientated and customer focused.