The study determined that there was sufficient confidence in the project to proceed for more detailed feasibility studies, according to miningweekly.com.
Performed by Mineral Corporation, the desktop study assessed a range of conceptual mine development options as a preface to more detailed feasibility work for the first raw coal production during 2014.
Wescoal CEO Andre Boje said, "This is a major project for Wescoal and it is receiving senior management’s full attention to ensure it is commissioned during 2014."
The company has already begun negotiations with surface right owners and is progressing the outstanding required environmental authorizations.
"These processes are expected to be completed during the first half of 2014, following which the commissioning of the Elandspruit mine will commence with production expected to attain 200 000 t/m by the last quarter of 2014," Boje added.
