The project was formerly known as the Zondagsfontein.

It represents the first major project to be completed under Anglo’s empowerment company Anglo American Inyosi Coal and will supply both domestic and export quality thermal coal.

The construction of the mine began in 2008 at the height of the global financial crisis which AAIC chairman Norman Mbazima said presented a number of cost management issues.

“Despite this, we managed to have the first export coal from the Zibulo opencast section onto the train to the Richards Bay coal terminal on 30 October 2009,” Mbazima said.

He said the launching of the mine on Thursday marked an important milestone in the history of AAIC.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Ogies, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu said the construction of Zibulo was a significant achievement.

“A fully operational mine signifies progress and growth of Anglo American Inyosi Coal,” Shabangu said.

When fully commissioned, Zibulo will produce 2Mtpa from its underground mine and 1Mtpa from its opencast pit.

Saleable production will be approximately 6Mtpa, constituting both thermal export product and domestic product of 3Mtpa each.

Inyosi chairperson Yoli Balfour said the opening of Zibulo marked a defining moment in the journey to empower historically disadvantaged South Africans through wealth creation from the country’s mineral resources.

“Today is an important day for empowerment in South Africa and in particular women and communities that reside in and around our operations,” Balfour said.

She said the Inyosi consortium comprised 86% HDSAs and more than 50% women participants, with communities around AAIC operations also holding a stake in the mine.

AAIC has two operational mines, Kriel and Zibulo, as well as three future projects known as New Largo, Elders and Heidelberg.