South32’s South African thermal coal production fell 8% to 31.7 million t in the 2016 financial year (FY2016), according to the company’s annual results statement, following the planned closure of the Khutala mine and a reduction in contractor activity at the Wolvekrans Middelburg Complex.
Coal sales totaled 32.3 million t. Domestic sales accounted for 53% of the total (17.2 million t) with exports (15.2 million t) making up the remainder. Domestic sales were down 7% on the previous year, while exports were down 8%.
South32 South African coal operations consist of four coal mining operations – Khutala, Klipspruit, Middelburg and Wolvekrans – and three processing plants. The operations are located in Mpumalanga Province near the towns of eMalahleni and Middelburg.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.