Aim-listed Edenville has confirmed that operations at the Rukwa coal project in south-west Tanzania restarted on August 3, as planned.
The company notes that the mine area suffered minimal damage from the protracted rainy season, which came to an end while the mine was closed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minor silt and sand build-up will be removed from the pit area, alongside repairs to the haul road to the new northern pit. These are both expected to be addressed within a week.
Plant and equipment have also been checked, with no material issues.
As a result, the company expects the first shipment of coal to take place early next week, subject to customer truck availability.
Edenville's new strategic partner Infrastructure Logistics Tanzania Limited (ILTL) has provided a start date for its operations of September 1. Until ILTL has completed its mobilisation activities, Edenville will continue to act as operator.
"I am delighted to confirm operations restarted at Rukwa yesterday. We will now focus on satisfying the delivery of washed coal for an existing client who has paid in advance.
"We also expect to finalise the sales and marketing agreement with ILTL this week and will continue to work closely with them ahead of handing over operatorship,” says CEO Alistair Muir.