Name and Location
Torbanite and coal beneficiation project, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Client
Central Energy Fund (CEF).

Project Description
The CEF is developing a torbanite and coal beneficiation project, which is located north-west of Kinross, in Mpumalanga.

The project has total mineable tons of No 5 Seam coal and torbanite estimated at 82.5-million tons. In addition, total project mineable tons of No 4 Seam has been reported at about 137-million tons. There is also a limited No 2 Seam coal resource within the project area.

The No 5 Seam coal and torbanite deposit occurs at a depth of between 30 m and 130 m below surface. Planned mining operations will consist of mechanised narrow seam bord-and-pillar mining for the No 5 Seam and mechanised full seam bord-and-pillar mining for the No 4 Seam.

The torbanite and coal beneficiation plant will be fully integrated into a No 5 Seam mine.

Value
Not stated.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
CEF has invited tenders for the delivery of a prefeasibility study (PFS) that will identify the capital and operating costs for the design, construction, supply and delivery of a plant capable of processing three-million tons a year of the No 5 Seam coal deposit.

According to the terms of reference document, mine planning does not form part of the terms of reference requirement; however, the coal quantities and qualities of the No 5 Seam feed to the torbanite project must be clearly defined and verified by the appointed contractor.

This may require that various iterations of the mine planning production profile be identified and investigated in conjunction with the appointed mining study team.

The final PFS report must be delivered to CEF by April 12, 2014.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
CEF, tel +27 10 201 4700 or fax +27 10 201 4900.