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Exxaro opens New Mine 1 at Matla colliery
This morning Exxaro Resources officially opened its New Mine 1 operation at its Matla Coal Mine in Mpumalanga, marking another milestone in the organisation’s growth strategy to sustain production, enhance operational efficiency, and support South Africa’s energy security pipeline.
In 2016, the decision was taken to stop production at the old Mine 1 due to deteriorating safety pillars near the shaft infrastructure. This led to the development of the New Mine 1 project to safely access the remaining reserves and develop a life expansion pathway for Mine 1
advancing energy security and extending the life of mine
The New Mine 1 forms part of the broader Matla Life of Mine Project (MLOMP), a long-term, R5.236 billion mega investment project designed to provide safe and continued access to the remaining coal reserves, improve efficiency and ensure consistent delivery in line with the recently extended Coal Supply Agreement (CSA) with Eskom.
As a cost-plus operation, Eskom is contractually responsible for funding the mine’s costs to ensure the lowest possible overall fuel cost. The New Mine 1, which is critical to the reliable operation of Matla Power station will contribute approximately 4.2 million tonnes of coal annually, further underscoring Exxaro’s commitment to sustainable resource development and operational resilience in a challenging operating environment. Matla Coalmine employs 6174 employees, including contractors.
Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources
The Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe was in attendance at the mine opening and visited workers underground, said “this is a journey back home for me. I spent six years at this mine, working here and organising here, and during that same period we achieved production records. I was here as a worker, and today I return as a Minister.
People have often said that coal is a dying industry because of concerns around pollution. However, the industry continues to evolve, particularly through improvements in mining safety and ongoing investment in innovation and research. Coal miners should never be ashamed of the work they do.”