Mining company plans to invest over R400m in KZN
anthracite producer and the country’s only mine producing lowash and low-volatile anthracite was a pleasure.
“The business was down when we bought it, losing money and morale was low because it is a small mine for a major company.
“We made some strategic changes in mine management and started turning the mine around in the second month.
“Morale is up now as we are working with the community and workers are actually partners in the business.”
The company supports businesses in Witbank and Richards Bay and exports to Brazil and the US.
ZAC is 74% owned by umfolozi Mining Investments and 26% by a consortium that is a 50-50 joint venture between the
Ingonyama
Trust and the employees.
Bayoglu said this year was looking good as they were happy with the production and sales figures. Further growth was expected.
ZAC employs 1 350 people directly.
The two new mines planned to open will employ people about 100 more people in Vryheid and 200 more in Kwasomkhele.
Bayoglu said the Mining Charter was not affecting the company negatively, as they were already complying with it, supporting communities and workers.
Global Environmental Trust spokeswoman Sheila Berry said mining tended to have a devastating impact on the environment and the country should instead look into reusing what’s already available or seek new approaches to production and consider an alternative to starting to operate new mines.