The reserve estimate relates to the northern open-pit area and is based on the coal resource statement of May 2011 and data provided in the prefeasibility statement in August 2012.
The project hosts bituminous coal that would have to be beneficiated to produce saleable products. The PFS confirmed the reserve could produce RB1 export coal, low phosphorous coal for the domestic market and thermal coal for local power generation (Eskom).
UNV CEO Tony Weber said: “The declaration of a maiden reserve is an important milestone in the integration of Roodekop, with the new Clydesdale Colliery and the first step in our short-term goal of establishing a reserve base large enough to sustain a minimum 15-year life of mine for the combined NCC Roodekop operation”
The Roodekop project is on the southern margin of the Witbank coal field, 30km south of Middleburg and directly south of the New Clydesdale Colliery.
The project is one of three held by Universal and the first to target the export market.
The JORC-compliant coal resource at Roodekop totals 84.36Mt, with 82.92Mt measured and 1.44Mt indicated.
