admin“Some operational challenges that were being experienced at the 3 Main Underground Mine are set to be a thing of the past following the acquisition and delivery of a multi-purpose vehicle which is principally used in the movement of workers and equipment to and from the underground mine,” said the company on its website.
Although the company did not state how much the vehicle was worth, a reliable source confirmed to Business Chronicle yesterday that the MPV had been secured at a value of $300 000.
“It is worth $300 000,” said the source.
HCCL said the multi-purpose vehicle came at a time when underground workers walked an average of three kilometres to and from the coal face (working area).
“The procurement of the MPV will certainly go a long way in increasing productivity through efficiency, safety and also as a morale booster for the underground miners.
“One of the mine’s long-term plans is procurement non-flammable light vehicles and flame proof tractors which is in tandem with best practices and emerging technology in the underground coal mining industry the world over,” said the coal producer.
Meanwhile, negotiations to finalise $180 million loan facility from the Development Bank of Southern Africa to recapitalise operations at HCCL are still in progress.
The coal producer made its final presentation of seeking funding from the financial institution towards the end of last year amid high prospects of getting the resources.
The negotiations to recapitalise HCCL under this facility are also being held at Government-to-Government level to confirm certain high level issues.
Online Reporter