MIDDELBURG – Optimum’s first consignment of coal was dispatched to Richards Bay starting Monday, 8 April 2024.
The 104-carriage-long electric Transnet train arrived at Optimum around 7 pm to transport the first load of coal to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT).
This momentous occasion, described as a historic milestone, follows a groundbreaking agreement between Liberty Coal and the board of RBCT after a prolonged dispute over Liberty Coal’s use of the train allocation in Richards Bay.
The train will ferry hundreds of thousands of tonnes of coal extracted by mini-pit contractors, stockpiled since 1 February 2023, when the RBCT board suspended Optimum’s rail and export allocation.
“Now that arrangements between Liberty Coal and Transnet have been finalised, the first trains have commenced transporting coal to RBCT,” said Liberty Coal’s chief operating officer, Ulrich Bester.
“This is a proud moment for Liberty Coal, and all its stakeholders including employees, service providers, local communities, and NUM, who joined Liberty Coal to celebrate the arrival, loading, and departure of Liberty Coal’s first train to RBCT. The atmosphere at the rail siding was emotional and electric.”
Bester also expressed gratitude to Transnet for ensuring their position on the weekly rail schedule, alongside other RBCT shareholders who jointly utilize Transnet’s rail capacity on the coal corridor to RBCT.
“We support Transnet’s recent efforts to improve the efficiency and capacity of the coal corridor to the benefit of all RBCT shareholders and the wider South African economy and fiscus.”
The Mpumalanga Action Movement (MAM) expressed elation at the “momentous and historical” occasion of Transnet’s first allotted rail locomotive arriving at Optimum.
“This historic moment signifies the end of suffering for the communities of Hendrina, Middelburg, and eMalahleni, not just in terms of economic fortunes but also in terms of their social upliftment and the improvement of their quality of life,” said MAM spokesperson Mpumelelo Mashifane.
“While we are cognisant that the road towards the complete re-opening of Optimum has only just begun, the dispatch of the first tonnage of coal marks the beginning of that hopeful journey.”
Mashifane also cautioned against assuming the re-opening of the mine. “We wish to correct this assumption by pointing out that there is still a long way to go before the mine is brought back to its full operational life.”
