• EXCURSION
1-3 : A panoramic view of the pit at Grootegeluk .
constitutes 60Mtpa and over / interburden waste amounts to 30Mtpa , which is brought back from over 10 plants in the complex , running at 7 600 tons per hour to feed the backfill area . The backfill at the operation creates a closed loop in that rehabilitation takes place simultaneously to mining as the discard is brought back from the plants . The first level of the backfill is interburden , the next levels are created from plant discard , and this is sealed with overburden .
The mine has a total of 10 plants and began with the building of Grootegeluk 1 ( GG1 ), followed by GG 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 , which has just been converted to a double stage plant , followed by GG7 , 8 and 10 , while a hold was put on the building of GG9 to optimise the portfolio .
In 2018 Exxaro pledged an investment of R20-billion to help rejuvenate the South African Economy and drive robust socioeconomic development in South Africa at the South African Investment Conference ( or SAIC ). Over R10-billion of this investment has since been spent at the Grootegeluk Complex on projects such as the GG6 Expansion Project , a Rapid Load Out Station and Discard in Pit Project Backfill – the Thabametsi coal IPP has not been approved and hence has not been developed . This shows the importance of the Grootegeluk complex to Exxaro in its stable of assets .
Richards notes that the growth journey at Grootegeluk has been nothing short of incredible over the past 10 years , having experienced this growth personally while based at this mine for over twenty years . “ When the mine was started , it only supplied Matimba with PSC , and we have doubled that with supply to Medupi too . On the SSCC front , we have put together the double stage plant at GG6 and our metallurgical coal supply has also doubled since . This complex has supplied a great impetus to the surrounding areas based on the employment created by the recent construction and growth , but what is more important is how we aim to now sustain this benefit in the future .” The Exxaro strategy for this complex going forward therefore is vital to optimise the output at the complex and to maintain this trajectory of growth for all .
26 • African Mining • July 2022
The Early Value Coal Strategy Despite the fact that this is a carbon mine , its overarching strategy is driven by the company ethos which focuses on responsible , sustainable mining and development using innovative technology , while understanding the importance of and planning for the end goal of carbon neutrality , and finally a net zero carbon environment within a Just Transition . The Exxaro strategy going forward therefore is of vital importance to manage this Just Transition from a coal focused company to a diversified resources company with a purpose to power better lives .
“ We always want to stretch our business to the full over the longer term and this is what we call the Northstar principle in our strategy ,” says Richards . “ The Grootegeluk vision is to deliver 29,2 million safe tons of coal to Eskom , with 7.1 million tons in high value product ( HVP ) and to continue our high value strategy ramping up to exporting 4 million tons , unlocking our value to deliver 8 % year on year growth .” He explains that to do this , the current rail constraints and Eskom potential must be unlocked , and until then the company will sweat the operation ’ s assets to develop capacity and deliver the highest profit per ton in a constrained environment , whilst fast tracking the decarbonisation strategy to drive responsibility & sustainability through mining in support of Exxaro ’ s 2050 carbon neutrality emissions target . “ Despite the current constrained environment , we are growing at 6 % year on year . Once the TFR and Eskom constraints are unlocked however , the 8 % will be achievable ,” he says .
The ' How ’ Richards shared 6 strategic drivers over a timeline from 2021 to 2023 and beyond which would drive the North Star goal . Optimising the portfolio at Grootegeluk and pursuing an optimal product mix were drives completed in 2021 , while sweating the assets is a focus for 2023 , namely , securing continuity and maximising throughput . Beyond 2023 , driving responsibility and sustainability , together with a shift to diversify to alternative revenue streams would be the order of the day .
Optimise the portfolio Richards says that optimising the complex took place in 2021 when
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