Name of the Mine
Uitkomst Colliery.
Location
About 20 km north-west of Utrecht and 23 km north-east of Newcastle, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Mine Owner/s
MC Mining (84%) with the balance held by two broad-based black economic-empowerment trusts, comprising employees and host communities respectively.
Brief Description
Uitkomst Colliery is a high-grade coal deposit that supplies the domestic steelmaking (pulverised coal for injection) and API4 thermal coal markets. At the time of writing the mine had a 15-year life-of-mine.
Uitkomst currently mines the south adit (horizontal shaft) using three underground mining sections.
Brief History
Uitkomst’s history dates to the early twentieth century when coal was first discovered in the Utrecht region. Initial exploration and small-scale mining activities were conducted sporadically, but it was not until the latter half of the century that more systematic development started. Over the years, the mine has changed ownership several times.
MC Mining acquired the Uitkomst coal mine in 2017.
Primary Metals/Minerals
Steelmaking (pulverised coal injection) and API4 thermal coal.
Secondary Metals/Minerals
None stated.
Geology/Mineralisation
Uitkomst falls within the Utrecht coalfield, which has a total of nine recognised coal seams that are developed to varying extents across the coalfield.
Reserves
As at June 30, 2023, Uitkomst had proven mineable coal reserves of 9.96-million tonnes and probable reserves of 1.85-million tonnes in situ.
Resources
As at June 30, 2023, Uitkomst had measured mineable coal resources of 14.35-million tonnes in situ, indicated resources of 3.37-million tonnes in situ and inferred mineral resources of 4.54-million tonnes in situ.
Type of Mine
Underground.
Mining Method
Drill-and-blast.
Major Infrastructure/Equipment
The Uitkomst Colliery comprises underground mining operations; a coal processing plant; conveyor belts for transporting coal from underground operations to the surface and processing areas; a rail siding; access roads; administrative offices for mine management and staff; on-site facilities for the maintenance and repair of mining equipment; and infrastructure for the supply and treatment of water used in mining operations.
Prospects
The construction of an additional horizontal shaft (Adit 2k) is expected to start in 2024. This initiative will reduce the distances from the surface to the mining sections, and will improve the underground ventilation of the mine. This, in turn, should result in increased coal output.
Contact Details
MC Mining
Tel +27 10 003 8000
Email: adminza@mcmining.co.za
Sources
MC Mining. Website: https://www.mcmining.co.za/