Operations
ZAC operates an underground, deep level, narrow seam operation, using both continuous miners and drill and blast mining techniques. ZAC’s current life of mine is up to 2027, but there are undeveloped known resources still to be considered in future.
ZAC currently operates three shafts with a fourth shaft to open in 2022. ZAC produced 749 711 tons of anthracite product in 2019 and due to Covid-19 in 2020 production only amounted to 230 000 tons.
Ngwabe
1 x CM sections
1 X Sandvik 350
High Seam (2.6 m)
1 x Drill and Blast
Ngwabe Shaft commenced operations in 2011 and has a remaining lifespan of 3 years.
The shaft produces 20 000 tons per month.
A drill and blast section opened in the lower areas as planned.
Deep E
1 x Sandvik 350
High Seam (2.5 m)
This area started producing coal in April 2022.
Outcrop
Low Seam (1.1 m)
2 x D&B Section
Outcrop Shaft commenced operations in 2007 and has a remaining lifespan of 6 years.
The shaft has a low seam of 1.1 meters, comprising two drill and blast sections.
The shaft produces 11 000 tons per month.
Discard Processing Plant
Washing the historical discard dump at ZAC
Capacity: 100 tons per hour
Discard dump size: 3 million tons
15%-18% ash middling products
The Discard Processing Plant commenced operations in 2017 with the aim of processing the 3 million tons of historic discard material.
The processing plant’s 100 ton per hour capacity produces 15%-18% ash middling products.
The reclamation of the long-standing discard dump is decreasing the rehabilitation footprint of ZAC and will produce a total of 1 million tons of saleable product during the lifespan of the discard dump, which is sold to the export market.