KING WANTS MORE MINES, PRODUCTION OF STEEL

MALOMA – His Majesty King Mswati wants to see more mines opening and the production of steel in the country.

The King said this when he was addressing Maloma Colliery Limited workers and management at the company premises yesterday. This was after he toured the various departments of the company and officially opened Maloma Mine Shaft I and company’s first world Processing Plant upgrade.

He said around 2007 he came to bless Maloma mine, but later on the mine faced some challenges. However, he said he was impressed with what he saw during the tour. He said the team that works with Shakantu (Inyatsi Group Holding Chairperson) was doing a commendable job. He added that he had been told that the workers had love for the jobs they were doing and that they cooperate with each other. “We are here to encourage you to put more effort and use this opportunity wisely,” the King said.

The King said he had been told that the type of coal (high quality anthracite) which was mined at Maloma Colliery Limited had the potential of producing steel if mixed with iron ore. He said steel had the potential to transform the county and its economy.  “Therefore, in the not so distance future, we have to mine iron ore in the country so that we can produce steel,” the King said.

He said with the work they were doing at Maloma, which includes maintaining advanced technology, shows that emaSwati have potential. Therefore, he encouraged investors to open more mines and build towns and cities around them (mines) like it happens in other countries.  He added that he had been told that even at Maloma there would a village as means to bring the workers closer to work would be done, since the mine operate 25/7.

Empoyment

Moreover, the King said he had been told that in terms of job security, the workers employment was safe. However, he mentioned that mining always stops once the mineral was finished. Therefore, he encouraged the company to start looking at what it would do in the country once he mineral is finished.

It is worth noting that previously (in December 2023), the management of Inyatsi Group Holdings highlighted that Maloma Colliery Limited had been in existence for 31 years and before they took over about three years ago, it was facing imminent closure.

The management said the investment in the mine had allowed for extension of mine life by over 20 years.
As part of the investment, it said they have been deliberate at Maloma Colliery Limited in up-skilling their employees. This, according to the management included exchanging programmes with other mining houses in the continent.

Experience

The management added that they have also recruited a mine manager, with over 25 years of deep level underground mining experience, which was also an effort to bring up their local skills. Maloma Colliery Limited has contributed to the improvement of the road leading to the mine which does not only benefit the mine but also the local communities.

On top of that he said about 80 per cent of the staff were local community members. The management also highlighted that since the takeover, they have invested over E700 million and over E350 million had been paid to government treasury in dividends and taxes since 2022.

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