Mining Mirror July 2019 | Page 15

Mine excursion initiative was driven by investment company Menar, of which Canyon Coal is a subsidiary. Billed as the ‘Kangra New Beginning’, the event was held near the mine, which is in the Mkhondo municipality. The municipal leaders, traditional authority leaders and other community leaders joined the celebration. Speakers at the ceremony lauded the initiative, saying it laid the foundation for the redefinition of the relationship between workers, community and the new mine owners. Chairman of Menar Mpumelelo Mkhabela said the share allocation to employees and community was different to the usual employee share-ownership schemes where shares are granted for a limited period. “This is a permanent arrangement. For as long as you work at Kangra, you will own shares. If the company makes profits and dividends are declared, you will also benefit from dividends that will accrue to the employee trust,” Mkhabela explained. Canyon director Dr Sakhile Ngcobo provided a broad overview of Kangra's operations, explaining that the company is involved in the mining and processing of thermal coal, through the operation of an underground mine, along with several opencast pits, located in the Mpumalanga coalfields. Kangra currently produces about two million tons a year of saleable coal with the majority of its high volatile coal sold on the export market, and the rest sold to independent users. Menar social licensing manager Xolile www.miningmirror.co.za The company is involved in the mining and processing of thermal coal, through the operation of an underground mine, along with several opencast pits, located in the Mpumalanga coalfields. JULY 2019 MINING MIRROR [13]