Isibonelo Coal Mine
04 July, 2005
Production starts at Anglo American's Isibonelo coal mine in South Africa
On 1 July 2005, Anglo Coal's Isibonelo Colliery supplied its first consignment of coal to Sasol Limited. The US$65 million Isibonelo coal mine commenced production on time and on budget and is expected to supply 5 million tonnes per annum of thermal coal to Sasol Synfuels when it reaches full production during 2006.
A study was initiated in 2000 by Anglo American and Sasol to consider the development of the Kriel South coal reserves in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. An agreement was reached in July 2003 for Anglo Coal to establish a new opencast operation on the northern portion of the coalfield and Sasol was granted access to the southern portion of the Kriel South coalfield, through the expansion of its existing underground operations at Syferfontein Colliery. Together the operations are expected to secure coal supplies from the Kriel South reserve to Sasol for a period of 20 years.
Notes to Editors:
Anglo American plc is one of the world's largest mining and natural resource groups. With its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, it is a global leader in platinum group metals, gold and diamonds, with significant interests in coal, base and ferrous metals, industrial minerals and paper and packaging. The group is geographically diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South and North America, Australia and Asia.