THE future for the SA coal industry looks bright, and other commodities such iron ore and chrome could also be heading towards a ‘boom’ time.
That was the opinion of Outgoing RBCT Chairman Mike Teke, addressing a national business and mining media engagement session at the terminal on Tuesday.
‘I believe the mining sector will soon turn the corner,’ he said.
‘We (coal exporters) were sitting on $50 per ton a year ago and now we are at $86.’
RBCT’s performance during 2016 was put under the spotlight, with CEO Alan Waller especially pleased at the final quarter’s results.
‘By the end of the third quarter we anticipated exports at around 70mtpa, but thanks to a strong November and December we pushed above 52.5mtpa.
‘This included a record-breaking export performance in November of 8.03Mt (96Mta).’
Waller said new import and export records were set in November thanks to a ‘fully integrated value chain with Transnet’.
He said the RBCT focus had been on ‘maximum coal over the quay’.
Although total tonnage exported during 2016 was 3.7% less than in 2015, this was attributed to less incoming coal from the mines.
‘The terminal handles whatever comes in; it has nothing to do with any constraints at RBCT,’ said Waller.
‘Presently, the terminal can handle 91Mt and is still looking at 100Mt.
‘Transnet Freight Rail, which is demand driven, can currently supply 81Mt. This is a good balance as it negates any congestion at the terminal.’
Statistics
More than 9 000 trains delivered coal in 2016 and more than 900 vessels were handled, at an average of 56 vessels per month with a peak of 95 in November.
Trains averaged 752 per month, peaking at 868 in October – just two short of the rail record – with an average 25 trains per day being tipped.
While there were no announced changes in RBCT shareholder ownership, internal reshuffling retained the strengths and experience of the existing executive.
Exco now comprises: Alan Waller – CEO, Jabu Mdaki – GM: Operations, Judith Nzimande – GM: HR, Bill Murphy – GM: Projects, Kubendren Naidoo – GM: Asset Management, Zanele Mthiyane – GM: HSEC and Casper Mbuyazi – GM: Finance.
In terms of empowerment, RBCT is currently 32.53% black owned with black women owning 6.18% in line with the mining charter.
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