Optimum wants to grow, reports jump in revenues and production

South Africa’s sixth-largest coal producer and fourth-largest coal exporter, Optimum Coal, is determined to get bigger. “We’re acquisitive. We’re looking for assets,” says company CEO Mike Teke. “Recently we announced the acquisition...

Optimum says coal output adequate to supply Eskom and export markets

Black-owned JSE-listed Optimum Coal (Optimum) said on Thursday that it remained on track to deliver between 7,2-million tons and 7,6-million tons of saleable export coal in its 2011 financial year, while fulfilling its commitments to South...

Optimum Coal restates intention to sell platinum interests

The black-owned JSE-listed Optimum Coal has restated its intention to sell off its interest in two platinum exploration projects. Optimum CEO Mike Teke tells Mining Weekly Online that the company will dispose of both provided the right buyer is...

A brief look at SA’s coal-mining industry

Most coal production in South Africa - about 53% - is from opencast mines, with the balance being produced by bord-and-pillar (40%), stoping (4%) and longwall mining (3%). Coal mining operations are clustered in the country’s Mpumalanga...

Klipspruit ship comes in, Douglas/Middelburg project ahead

Diversified miner BHP Billiton has done well to come in below budget and on schedule with its long-awaited Klipspruit energy-coal project in Mpumalanga province, but the current stronger-than-expected South African rand is currently likely to be...

Rains water down Optimum Coal's export forecast

SE-listed black-owned mining company Optimum Coal expects to export less coal than forecast from its rain-hit opencast mines. Optimum forecast that it would export 5,4-million tons of coal from its Optimum collieries in the 12 months to June 30,...

Sentula, partner to develop R820m coal project at Koornfontein

JSE-listed coal producer Sentula Mining and its joint-venture (JV) partner Siyanda Resources would spend R820-million on a new development at the Koornfontein mine, CEO Robin Berry said on Wednesday. The company would seek raise between...

Acid mine drainage threatens important water resources

Environmental protection group Federation for a Sustainable Environment (FSE) is strongly opposing the opening of five new Xstrata Coal mines in the Mpumalanga escarpment, located northwest of Ermelo, where the Vaal, Olifants, Komati, Mpuluzi and...

Merafe opts out of Koornfontein, to mine other coal resources

Black-owned miner Merafe Resources has decided not to buy the just-under 25% of the Koornfontein coal mine, in Mpumalanga, that it was entitled to from Sentula Mining, but the company has two other coal resources it hoped to bring to account by...

Sentula completes R150m Koornfontein acquisition

JSE-listed coal-mining services company, Sentula, on Thursday announced the finalisation of its acquisition of a 49,998% stake in the Koornfontein coal mine in Mpumalanga, for R150-million, as all conditions precedent were met.

Scharrig acquires nearly half of Koornfontein coal mine in fourth joint venture

Mining services company Scharrig Mining (Scharrig) has acquired nearly half of the Koorfontein coal mine, in Mpumalanga, making this the fourth coal joint venture (JV) and asset the company has acquired.

Scharrig buys 50% of Koornfontein colliery

JSE-listed mining services firm Sharrig Mining (Schamin) has bought a 49,998% in the Koornfontein coal mine, in Mpumalanga, for R150-million from Investec Bank and Coronation Capital, it said on Thursday.