800 JOBS EXPECTED AT MPAKA COAL MINE

MBABANE – About 800 jobs could be created if the re-opening of the Mpaka Coal Mine goes ahead as previously planned.

The recent approval of the revival of the mineral pit returned confidence to residents that the abandoned mining village could come back to life, with prospects of economic renewal and, of course, development. Hopes were renewed when LCE Investments (PTY) LTD was granted a mining licence in 2022, for the re-opening of the defunct Mpaka Coal Mine, which ceased operations in 1992. The mineral pit was previously operated by Swaziland Colliery Limited (Anglo American Corporation of South Africa), from 1965 until 1985, when it was taken over by Gencor, until 1992.

Takeover

After the takeover in 1992, it was then called Emaswati Coal (PTY) LTD, in which Tibiyo Taka Ngwane had shares. The coal deposits at Mpaka have been well-documented. The potential resources have an area of approximately 20.5 square kilometres, of which 19.3 square kilometres is over the sedimentary middle ecca group of the Karoo Supergroup that contains the high quality anthracite seams of the lower coal zone. Within this zone, the main coal seam is of prime interest as it has an average thickness of between 455m to 610m. These are the reserves that the previous operators Anglo American Corporation and Gencor mined until closure in 1992.

Now, the exciting news is that progress is being made in efforts towards bringing Mpaka Coal Mine back to life. This follows the completion of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment as well as formulation of an Environmental and Social Management plan, as required by the Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA). These were prepared by a private consultant, which has already tabled a report with the environmental regulatory body. The report states that the mining project is expected to create an average of 500 full-time jobs and a further 200 job opportunities during construction together with an average of 100 operational jobs over an anticipated operational life of 20 years. While conducting the assessments the private consultant had an opportunity to meet various stakeholders and especially the affected communities of Mpaka, Malindza and areas surrounding Dvokodvweni Constituency, who threw their support to the mine renewal project.

Recruitment

The report revealed that during consultations, there was unanimity over the recruitment of human resource. It was agreed that employees would be sourced locally. This was meant to prevent an influx of job-seekers, which could bring about a wholesale of changes in the lives currently led by the inhabitants of the areas affected by the re-opening of the mineral pit. Moreover, this is meant to ensure that communities bearing the impact of resources development also benefit from the project delivery.

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