Tenova Mining & Minerals South Africa has been awarded a significant materials handling contract by Sasol Mining. The award forms part of Sasol Mining’s Tweedraai expansion project in Secunda, South Africa, which will see part of the Syferfontein mine being replaced. The new conveyor system includes the design and installation of three conveyors totalling 3 km, which will convey coal at 4,800 t/h design capacity.

Electrical and instrumentation systems, as well as bulk earthworks and civil foundations for the conveyor system and transfer towers, also form part of the contract.

This is one of Sasol’s projects aimed at ensuring that it has modern replacement operations to replace some of the long-standing, but depleting, mines. The project includes the use of optimised steel structures and designs using advanced technologies, which have been developed in-house over the past decade by Tenova Mining & Minerals South Africa’s trading division, Tenova TAKRAF Africa.

The award is the culmination of ongoing engagement between Tenova Mining & Minerals South Africa and Sasol Mining. Tenova has been involved from initiation of the proposal phase.

“This major award reinforces and continues our proud and long standing relationship with Sasol Mining, “says Riccardo Tonini, Managing Director of Tenova TARAF Africa. “We believe that successful execution of the project will create a sound foundation on which Tenova Mining & Minerals can continue to build its relationship with Sasol Mining well into the future.”

Sasol Mining mines about 40 Mt/y of saleable coal, mostly gasification feedstock for Sasol Synfuels in Secunda and utilities coal for Sasol Infrachem in Sasolburg, both in South Africa. Sasol Mining also exports some 2.8 Mt/y of coal.