Kangala coal mine hits record production

Universal Coal’s Kangala coal mine in South Africa achieved record quarterly production of 1.044 million t in 2Q16, 35% up on the previous quarter, after reaching steady state production following a pit reconfiguration.

Year-to-date production hit 3.289 million t, a 32% rise on the previous year.

Sales also progressed strongly, hitting 0.609 million t in 2Q16 compared to 0.437 million t in the previous quarter. On a year-to-date basis, sales were up 21% compared to the previous year at 2.037 million t.

Sales were split between domestic and export markets with 0.576 million t heading to domestic customers. This was up 34% on the previous quarter following the return of the rotary breaker at the coal handling and processing plant to full operation. Export sales totaled 33 351 t.

“Having concluded the pit reconfiguration, Kangala is now firing on all cylinders and delivering record production in the process,” said Universal CAO, Tony Weber. “We anticipate increasing production further in the year ahead, thereby delivering strong sales and cash flow to pay down debt facilities and to fund growth prospects.”

Edited by Jonathan Rowland.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/21072016/kangala-coal-mine-hits-record-production-2016-2054/