The Makhado pit
Name of the Project
Makhado hard coking coal project.
Location
Limpopo, South Africa.
Project Owner/s
MC Mining.
Project Description
Makhado has measured and indicated coal resources of 296-million mineable tonnes in situ and proven and probable reserves of 69.3-million.
The bankable feasibility study (BFS) has proposed the production of 25.6-million tonnes of saleable coal over a 22-year mine life comprising 13.7-million tonnes of hard coking coal and 11.9-million tonnes of 5 500 kcal of thermal coal.
The BFS is a key milestone in securing funding for the project. The BFS envisages the initial mining of the West pit, which will be followed by the mining of the East and Central pits, while the existing coal processing plant (CPP) at the Vele Colliery will be modified, enabling it to simultaneously produce and export quality thermal coal.
The West, East and Central pits will be mined at a combined average rate of 3.2-million tonnes a year, with the run-of-mine material being crushed and screened at Makhado before it is dispatched to the Vele CPP. Over the life-of-mine, about two-million tonnes a year of crushed and screened coal will be transported 134 km to the Vele CPP, where the coal will be processed to produce two marketable products – midvolatile hard coking coal for sale domestically and internationally, and 5 000 kcal thermal coal for sale on the international market.
Potential Job Creation
The project is expected to create about 650 permanent employment positions.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an after-tax net present value of R4-billion and internal rate of return of 38.2%.
Capital Expenditure
R625-million, and a peak funding requirement of R727-million.
Planned Start/End Date
The project is expected to take 12 months to complete.
Latest Developments
MC Mining reported in its activities report for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, published on July 29, that it was progressing several alternative strategies to raise the required funding for the project, with a target date to conclude the requisite financing during the third quarter of 2022.
On September 27, 2022, the company launched a 1.012-for-1 fully underwritten pro-rata renounceable rights issue to raise funds A$40-million for Makhado. The capital raise is said to be a significant development for the company and will ensure that it has the cornerstone funding in place for the mine. The proceeds will satisfy a requirement for debt funders (the IDC debt funding), which are expected to contribute to the development of the project.
The proceeds of the rights issue will contribute towards early works at the project, including confirmatory and geotechnical drilling, civils infrastructure and securing long-lead time equipment for the processing plant.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Minxcon (BFS)
Contact Details for Project Information
MC Mining, tel +27 10 003 8000 or email adminzamcmining.com.