PLD concludes turnkey contract for Vlakfontein

Panorama

Publishing Date: 01 Dec 2011 9:32am GMT
Author: Mining Magazine

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The surface infrastructure for Vlakfontein coal mine, the first state-owned coal mining venture in South Africa, is nearing completion. The turnkey project was undertaken by a PLD joint venture, comprising Paramount Construction, Delf Consulting Engineers and Lonerock Construction, on behalf of African Exploration Mining & Finance Corporation (AEMFC).

Design on the US$1.65 million contract began in April 2011, with construction getting underway in May. The majority of the work was completed by the end of September. The infrastructure entails an access road, change house, weigh-bridge, new water reticulation system, mini water treatment plant and a pollution control dam.

The mine is already operational and is expected to produce 800,000t/y of thermal coal, with a total coal reserve of 33Mt and an expected mine life of 15 years.

Richard Hein and David Stewart of Paramount Construction said: “By combining Delf’s design capabilities, Paramount Construction’s civil engineering expertise, and Lonerock’s experience in road works and earthworks, PLD completed the design and build project on time and without any significant complications.”