Power generation in South Africa is heavily reliant on coal, but. before the coal can be used by Eskom, it must first be crushed, sized, washed and dewatered. This process is undertaken in coal washing plants and is most effectively achieved when a single company is able to undertake the engineering design, construction and commissioning of the plant, ensuring its overall integrity.

In 2008. HCI Khusela Coal approached K’Enyuka to conduct a project status review of the design and construction of its coal washing plant at the opencast Palesa mine, near Bronkhorstspruit. Mpumalanga. where construction had just been initialed.

The 300-t/h coal washing plant will beneficiate raw coal to a level suitable for sale to Eskom It will operate on a continuous basis for six working days a week, or 6 000 operational hours a year.

Later, the plant will be upgraded to treat 700 i/h head feed.

Source: Mining Weekly