2018 was a good year for Canyon Coal. The company opened Khanye mine and made a great many achievements. What were the highlights?

Besides opening Khanye, which was the most important achievement for Canyon, we also started mining at Ukufisa mine near Springs. We obtained the mining right for Phalanndwa extension, which extends the life of the Phalanndwa Colliery. Another milestone achievement is our acquisition of Kangra Coal, which came with a 1.94% shareholding in the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT). Becoming one of thirteen shareholders in RBCT indicates that we are moving in the right direction to become a major coal company.

What makes Canyon Coal so successful?

We make decisions and don’t move the goalposts. I also have a good team that is dedicated and knows what they are doing. South Africa has good infrastructure and human capital.

The company is pressing on with its impressive drive to develop new mines. What are you reaching for this year?

In 2019, we will develop Palmietkuilen (Ukufisa phase 2) and De Wittekrans, which will entrench our mid-tier producer status. By the end of the year Canyon Coal will reach production of 16 million tons per year.

We are also concentrating on getting our Springfield Project up and running by 2020 that will make us a major coal mining company – that is to say, a large exporter of coal.

So you are growing the business into a large coal exporter. What are the obstacles to achieving this?

The most important thing is to have a stable economy. We need to empower people with jobs and opportunities and support young entrepreneurs for the health of the economy and society.

Our new social licensing department has been addressing recruitment opportunities, local preferential procurement and the implementation of our social and labour plans. If we do these things right, there will be fewer obstacles in terms of mining.

It appears that the company has a particular focus on the development of SMEs. Is this issue close to your heart?

We started the social licensing department because there is scope to help local communities prosper by supporting SMEs and individuals. We are increasing programmes to train communities to not only supply general services to mines but to be involved in mining by supplying equipment and technical services.

Looking ahead at 2019, the Canyon team is set for hard work. What are the rewards of building a coal company?

It’s about leaving a legacy. Being successful means you build the business and add value to people’s lives. Canyon wants to go beyond the requirements of the Mining Charter pertaining to social projects – this would indicate that we are truly successful.