Koornfontein Mines achieves 1,000,000 fatality-free ... - Optimum Coal

Autumn 2011

Contents
2
Optimizer Autumn 2011
Editor’s notE
Hello everyone!
Welcome to the Autumn 2011 edition of the optimizer. this year is a momentous one for
optimum Coal history: as a team we have much to celebrate and be proud of.
Look out for our CEO’s message on the opposite page to learn more about our group performance.
This is an important year for Optimum Coal with regards to new appointments – see pages 4, 5 and 18 for
all the news.
This year the Optimum Coal brand has received some prestigious accolades in the mining industry. Read
about it on page 9. If you turn to pages 12, 13 and 14, you can read about Optimum Collieries’ safety achievements
and the hard work and dedication from the Koornfontein team is evident on page 13.
Please don’t forget that you really do not have to be a famous author to submit interesting information or
news. Merely send the basics to me and I will rewrite it into a readable article.
Thank you for your support! Keep your contributions coming in. Without you the Optimizer would not be
as great as it is.
Joyce
Editor: Joyce Packery • Tel: +27 13 296 5025 • Email: joyce.packery@optimumcoal.com
Typeset and designed by: Artworks Communications
Optimizer is produced and published on behalf of Optimum Coal. All contributions to this publication are welcome and may be submitted to the editor.
The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Optimum Coal. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means without permission in writing from the editor.
LEADERSHIP SPEAKS 3
Mike’s message 3
Mining flexibility and optimisation 4
Vik Cogho speaks 5
EMPOWERMENT 6
Optimum Coal delivers last set of houses to community members 6
Optimum Coal ends 18-month long water restrictions 7
Tree planting at Cosmos Community Hall 8
Optimum Coal hosts bursars for breakfast 8
Award for Outstanding Contribution Towards Community Empowerment 9
Award for most improved CsI Projects 9
Optimum Coal hands over multi-purpose community centre 10
AUDIT & VISIT 11
Optimum Collieries’ Management system Audit 11
Barnstone Outsourcing services visits Optimum Coal 11
SAfETy 12
Well done to the Kwagga section for achieving 600 safety weeks! 12
Koornfontein Mines: 1,000,000 fatality-free shifts 13
sizing screen facility commissioned 13
Going the extra mile 14
600 incident-free weeks 14
Boschmanspoort Lamproom Achievement 14
TRAININg 15
Optimum Coal CEO inspires future mining engineers at Wits 15
KWAggA NORTH PROJECT 16
Kwagga North Project begins to take shape 16
MOVERS AND SHAKERS 17
The newly appointed Chief Project Development Officer 17
Vincent Molekoa: Learning is a never-ending process 18
New sACAFMA President 18
Optimum Coal graduates shine 18
EMPLOyEE CORNER 19
Promotions, new employees and obituaries 19
Invention improves reception 19
Best plate welder recognised 20
storing waste responsibly 20
HEALTH 21
Zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use 21
Employee wellness – Careways Group 21
Empower yourself: know your status! 22

Focusing on improved
I
began writing this message in early June and
as you all know, that is the last month of our
financial year. We have not delivered on all our
commitments and this makes our work difficult
as we reflect on the financial year and prepare to
face the new one. Optimum Collieries still faces the
challenge of not achieving its targets where Koornfontein
Mines is performing greatly. However, this
should in no way be viewed as a comparison of the
two operations.
One is inclined to enquire as to what needs to
be done to improve or turn around the performance
of Optimum Collieries.
The executive team attended a leadership
session on 13 and 14 June in Johannesburg and
the focus was to align leadership and develop a plan
of action to improve the performance of our business.
Reality is that our performance is not what it
should be at Optimum Collieries and several areas
of improvement are being looked at to start the new
financial year with the key focus being on improved
performance. Fact is, we have not delivered on our
LEADERsHIP sPEAKs
performance this financial year
safety, Tons and Cost Management, and we cannot
continue with this trend.
We must all realise that we will only build a
great future at Optimum Coal Holdings by working
together as a team and I am depending on all of
you to be part of this turnaround. several areas of
our business will need focused attention and these
include:
• Productivity efficiencies (open cast and underground);
• Coal processing and logistics (Eskom and TFR)
• Cost containment
• Delivery on our approved budget targets.
Beyond the performance improvements at Optimum
Collieries, you will notice that we continue to proactively
manage our projects and so far we have
made some progress and acquired TNC, which is
an important resource close to Koornfontein Mines.
This resource will assist us in extending the high
value product life at Koornfontein Mines, which will
come to an end around 2015.
I request that you all support our new Chief
Operating Officer, Rian du Plooy, who will join our
three General Managers on 1 July this year, namely
Percival Khoza (Mining), Fanie De Waal (Processing
Logistics and Engineering), and Vik Cogho (services).
Koornfontein Mines is still led by Piet steyn.
Who are we?
• An empowered team capable of harnessing
each other’s talents;
• A diverse team driven by respect and the ability
to harness quality relationships;
• A purpose driven team that thrives on the
achievements of its people and business goals;
• A team that embraces a simple and clean
business approach.
To reiterate, I depend on your support to fulfill the
above as the experienced team that you are.
Mike teke
Chief Executive Officer

4
LEADERsHIP sPEAKs
Mining flexibility and optimisation
Percival Khoza takes leaders and their teams on a roadshow
Percival Khoza, newly appointed Optimum
Collieries’ General Manager of Mining, took
the mining leaders and their teams from
across Optimum Collieries sites on a roadshow,
presenting slides on Optimum Collieries mining
status quo. The presentation focused on sigificant
incidents, dragline prime per area, ROM per area,
saleable tonnes per employee, exceeding budget
exposure and extraction within the cost allocation.
The road shows gave the mining teams an
opportunity to share their concerns, comments,
Optimizer Autumn 2011
learnings and contributions, as well as an opportunity
to interact with the General Manager and receive
management recognition for their efforts.
“It doesn’t matter how tough economic times
are,” said Percival. “One thing we will always
stand firm on is that we will increase production
and exceed our production targets at Optimum
Collieries. There are some difficult times ahead, but
through hard work and team work, I know that we
can emerge from a dark tunnel not only intact, but
also stronger and faster.”
Percival ended the road show presentations by
thanking the mining teams for the upfront support
on the implementation of Productivity Improvement
Teams, which will assist to safely deliver the expit
coal to the belts and tip stockpiles at minimal operating
unit costs in a sustainable manner.
He also believes that visible field leadership,
employee consultation, engagement and empowerment
are key to ensuring the sustainable success of
Optimum Collieries.
Percival Khoza handing over an award to
Johannes Mtsweni, RD Operator at Kwagga
section as a token of appreciation for applying
the principle of effective utilisation as an
operator.

We can work harder this
LEADERsHIP sPEAKs
year to deliver on our targets
Dr Vik Cogho, newly appointed Optimum Collieries’ General Manager services
once again a challenging financial year has drawn to a close.
Although production improved this year compared to FY10, very
few of the mine’s KPi’s were met, which is very disappointing.
this means that we will have to work harder to achieve our best.
Of serious concern is FY11’s safety performance: 63 of our employees
were hurt performing operational activities. To date, 13 lost time,
16 needed medical treatment and 34 suffered first-aid injuries,
something we cannot be proud of.
Caring and providing a safe work environment for the Optimum Collieries
employees and surrounding communities is of paramount importance to the
business and is core to its values. Optimum Collieries will continue to strive to
eradicate all work-related injuries to ensure the well-being of all its employees
and the surrounding communities.
The development of the Asiphephe III programme is complete and the
process of appointing and training the necessary course facilitators has begun.
It is anticipated that the Asiphephe III programme will effectively kick off in the
new financial year. I trust that this programme will assist all our employees,
including contractors, to improve on the FY11 situation.
The main sources of occupational exposures are associated with coal dust,
silica and noise. In addition to these are significant employee and communityrelated
risks such as HIV/AIDs, hypertension and diabetes, and are managed
pro-actively on a continuous basis.
Coal dust levels at the Boschmanspoort underground mine have improved
during the reporting period as a result of continual focus and the completion
of the second main fan to improve ventilation in the mining area.
Noise is monitored on an ongoing basis. Of note in this regard is the
full compliance with respect to the 105 dB threshold. Noise-induced hearing
loss and tuberculosis account for the majority of occupational illnesses. The
company will continue to strive to significantly reduce occupational illnesses
among its employees.
Monitoring of non-occupational illnesses is also ongoing and focuses
primarily on hypertension and diabetes. Medicine management systems are in
place to ensure that employees use their medications as prescribed. The mine’s
clinic is also in the process of assisting with TB awareness programmes.
striving towards ‘Zero Harm’ remains core to the company’s business ethic
and will continue to do so. It is imperative that leadership and all employees
Striving towards ‘Zero Harm’ remains core to
the company’s business ethic and will continue
to do so. It is imperative that leadership and all
employees drive this on an ongoing basis through
active participation on the floor level.
drive this on an ongoing basis through active participation on the floor level. With
this in mind, I urge all employees and contractors to hold on to the company’s
guiding principles of safety, Tons and Cost. In doing so, we as a collective, will
ensure that Optimum Collieries goes from strength to strength.
Optimizer Autumn 2011 5

optimum Coal delivers last set of
houses to community members
6
EMPOWERMENT
optimum Coal CEo Mike teke, in partnership
with the steve tshwete Local Municipality,
handed over houses to the last rockdale
Farm beneficiaries on 13 May 2011.
In 2005, a portion of the Rockdale farm was
purchased by the Nkangala District Municipality
from Kanhym Estates. The steve Tshwete Local
Municipality established a township on the land,
earmarking 3 000 stands for an integrated housing
development. In september 2009, the steve Tshwete
Local Municipality and Optimum Coal came to an
agreement, and construction began in May 2010.
The colourful two and three bedroom units
include an open plan lounge and kitchen area with
hot-water geysers and showers. The units for disabled
citizens have been fitted with wider door frames,
lowered light switches, wheelchair ramps and balustrades.
The houses are also fully electrified. In the
long-term, the stands will be greened in conjunction
with the municipality’s horticultural department. The
land is located in close proximity to an industrial
area, making job opportunities for residents more
accessible.
At completion, the area will be a fully-fledged
township with all the necessary amenities. The municipality
is installing bulk services for water and sanitation
infrastructure with assistance from the Nkangala
District Municipality.
The housing beneficiaries represent senior and
disabled citizens – 82 residents are pensioners and
18 are living with disabilities. Ninety-one year-old
Letta skosana is one of these beneficiaries who
has been living at the settlement since February
2011. Letta has 13 children, including her disabled
daughter Elinah skosana, who owns a separate
house in the township. The project has made
a significant improvement to her and her children’s
living conditions and dignity.
Optimizer Autumn 2011
Councillor Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, Executive Mayor of Steve Tshwethe Local Municipality with one
of the fortunate beneficiaries, Letta Skosana, and Optimum Coal CEO Mike Teke.
Councillor Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, Executive Mayor of Steve Tswethe Local Municipality and Mike
Teke, Optimum Coal CEO, cut the ribbon to open the last set of houses that were delivered to the
beneficiaries.

optimum Coal recently kept Hendrina
and KwaZamokuhle communities from
prolonged water restrictions and a cap
on further development by supplying the
Hendrina Water reservoir with potable
water from the Water reclamation Plant.
Optimum Coal built and commissioned the
Optimum Coal Water Reclamation Plant at a
cost of R600 million with an average flow of
15 million kilolitres a day. The plant will assist with
the sustainable management of surplus affected water
needs for the next 22 years and beyond mine closure.
Optimum Coal was recently delegated as a water
service provider for the Hendrina and KwaZamokuhle
communities and will supply three million kilolitres
of potable water a day to these communities via the
municipal water reservoir.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, a ribbon
cutting ceremony was held at the Hendrina water reservoir
by Councillor Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, Percival
Khoza (General Manager of Mining at Optimum
Collieries), sibongile shongwe (Group Transformation
Manager at Optimum Coal) and Xolani Lwandle
(General Manager designate of Koornfontein Mines).
speaking at the event Councillor
Mahlangu said: “We would like
to thank optimum Coal for going
beyond the extra mile in their
social responsibilities. today we
officially hand over the plant to the
community of Hendrina, which will
ensure the community of highly
purified drinking water”.
The residents from Hendrina and KwaZamokuhle,
were the first beneficiaries to receive potable water
from the Optimum Coal Water Reclamation Plant.
EMPOWERMENT
Optimum Coal ends 18-month long water restrictions
Percival Khoza, General Manager of Mining at Optimum Collieries, Executive Mayor of the Steve
Tshwete Local Municipality, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, and Xolani Lwandle, General Manager designate
of Koornfontein Mines celebrate the commencement of water supply from the Optimum Coal
Water Reclamation Plant to the Hendrina and KwaZamokuhle communities.
Hendrina Water Reservoir.
Optimizer Autumn 2011 7

8
EMPOWERMENT
tree planting at Cosmos Community Hall
A tree planting ceremony held at the Hendrina Cosmos Community Hall was attended by the
General Manager of Mining at optimum Collieries Percival Khoza, and the General Manager
designate of Koornfontein Mines Xolani Lwandle, accompanied by the Executive Mayor
of steve tshwete Local Municipality, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu.
Optimum Coal recently donated R5 million
to restore and renovate Hendrina Cosmos
Community Hall as part of its social and
Labour Plan (sLP) commitment to improve social
infrastructure in the communities in which it operates.
Optimum Coal CEO Mike Teke offered university
study bursaries on behalf of Optimum Coal to
12 hard-working learners from the steve Tshwete
Local Municipality, and recently hosted them for
breakfast. The top achievers in the group were:
• Bongani sibanyoni: 100% in Mathematics and
99% in Physical science. He will study Mechanical
Engineering at the University of Witwatersrand.
• sthembiso Hlatshwayo: 97% in Mathematics
and 94% in Physical science. He will study
Metallurgical Engineering at the University of
Pretoria.
• thulani Mahlangu: 93% in Mathematics
and 83% in Physical science. He will study
Mechanical Engineering at the University of
Witwatersrand.
• nomusa Mnguni: 91% in Mathematics and
82% in Physical science, studying Electrical
Engineering at the University of Cape Town.
Optimizer Autumn 2011
Councillor Mahlangu expressed her sincere
gratitude for the outstanding contribution Optimum
Coal is making towards the local communities and
the company’s sustainable way of doing business
within its areas of operation.
Left: The structure of Cosmos Community Hall.
Xolani Lwandle rolled up his sleeves to plant the
first tree.
optimum Coal hosts bursars for breakfast
• richmond nurthy: 90% in Mathematics and
90% in Physical science, studying Mining Engineering
at the University of Pretoria.
The rest of the bursars boast a combination of
achievements of B plus in English, Mathematics, and
Physical science. Their fields of studies include Business
and Management studies, Engineering, Medical
sciences and Engineering sciences.
What makes these learners’ achievement exceptional
is that they beat all odds and succeeded
despite their historically disadvantaged schools
and backgrounds. The bursars were sourced from
Mphanama, sofunda and Eastdene schools.
some learners came through Optimum Coal’s
flagship Maths and science Programme sponsored
through the Corporate, social and Investment section.
This programme has yielded notable improvements
in the results of the broader community of learners
within the steve Tshwete Local Municipality.
Optimum Coal CEO Mike Teke and the bursars
after the breakfast session.
The beneficiary schools saw improvements in
both subject average and pass rates, which were
better than the Mpumalanga provincial pass rate and
national average. Optimum Coal is proud to be associated
with these learners and their bright future.

The Black Management Forum
Mpumalanga recently hosted
a corporate social investment
dinner and award ceremony at
Emalahleni/Witbank.
During the event, Optimum Coal
was recognised for achieving the Most
Improved Corporate social Investment
Projects in 2010.
Congratulations to all involved
in making CsI decisions and
availing resources to this socioeconomic
development imperative.
EMPOWERMENT
Award for Outstanding Contribution
Towards Community Empowerment
Optimum Coal was given a special award
for its outstanding contribution towards
community empowerment during the
Mayoral Awards ceremony on 14 April 2011.
This is a clear indication that Optimum Coal
places a high priority on assisting the communities
it operates in.
The special award certificate (above) and the award trophy (left).
Most improved Csi Projects
The BMF trophy.
Optimizer Autumn 2011 9

The residents of the Hlalanikahle community have expressed their need for a multipurpose community centre for over ten years. In partnership with the
Emalahleni Municipality, Optimum Coal responded to build a centre that will serve as a central meeting place for all Hlalanikahle residents in the future.
optimum Coal hands over multi-purpose centre
optimum Coal CEo Mike teke handed over
the r4.2 million Hlalanikahle Multi-purpose
Community Centre to the Emalahleni Executive
Mayor, Lesley nhlapo.
Hlalanikahle Community Centre is
a visible example of Optimum Coal’s
“The
commitment to operate mindfully
within the communities where we conduct business,”
said Mike.
Hlalanikahle, a proclaimed township and a
subset of Kwa-Guga Township in Emalahleni, 15 km
west of the town centre, has an estimated population
of 45 000.
The centre was designed following a detailed
beneficiary needs assessment. The centre can seat
approximately 500 people in a table setting format
for banquets or wedding receptions and comprises
separate female and male ablution facilities, a ticket
booth or pay-point facility, a kitchen, a change room
and indoor sporting facility. The centre has been
designed to optimise the use of natural light, and
make provision for the disabled.
“It was also decided to add a separate car wash
facility to the project to increase the sustainability
of the centre, and the quality of life of community
members. The washing bay will act as a job
creation stimulus with women and adolescents
10
Optimizer Autumn 2011
From L-R: Optimum Coal CEO Mike Teke, unveils the plaque of the R4.2 million Hlalanikahle Multipurpose
Community Centre. From left to right is Willem Heyneke, Ndumi Khoza, Rowan Karstel,
Clr Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, Executive Mayor of Emalahleni Local Municipality Lesley Nhlapo and
Optimum Coal CEO Mike Teke.
being the main beneficiaries,” stated Human
Resources Manager at Optimum Colliery, Johnny
Makhale.
This infrastructure investment will add value to
the Hlalanikahle community in a long-term and practical
manner.

Preparing for optimum
Collieries’ Management
system External Audit
Employees at Optimum Collieries are busy preparing for the
forthcoming Optimum Management system external audit
which is scheduled for 27 to 30 June this year.
During the audit, 1sO 1400 (environment), IsO 9001 (quality)
and OHsAs 18001 (safety) will be measured and rated for IsO
certification.
The HsECQ initiatives are measured annually in order to verify
that there is progress towards meeting set targets.
Optimum Coal’s HsECQ policy sets the foundation for our
actions and guides us in what we do and how we do it.
Barnstone outsourcing services visits Optimum Coal
On 9 February 2011 consultants from Optimum sAP support provider,
Barnstone Outsourcing services, paid Optimum Coal a visit. This gave
them a much needed insight into the Optimum Coal operation and its business
processes. The day was spent going through the current support processes and
procedures with the Optimum Coal sAP process owners and super users, in
order to ensure that the best possible service is rendered when it comes to sAP
and its daily operation.
The day was closed off with a visit to the dragline which was
definitely a highlight, thanks to the arrangements of Anton Victor and his crew,
as well as Kate and Alma for the logistical arrangements.
The Barnstone team thanked Optimum Coal for the opportunity to see how
the company operates behind the scenes, and to enrich their knowledge of the
daily operations at Optimum Coal.
Michael Calitz, Group IT Manager Optimum Coal with the Barnstone team.
Optimizer Autumn 2011 11

12
sAFETY
Well done to the Kwagga section
for achieving 600 safety weeks!
Congratulations to the Kwagga section team for achieving 600 safety
weeks! Andre Van Wyk, Mine Manager at the Kwagga section and his
team are very proud and believe that everybody is not only responsible
for their own safety, but also for the safety of their colleagues. Always apply
Optimizer Autumn 2011
four steps to safety to work safely not only at work, but also at home. The
team have safety and production meetings on a weekly basis to makesure
they demonstrate commitment and support the leadership of Optimum Coal
in growing the business.
Andre Van Wyk and his proud team (top is B shift, above is C shift).

The Koornfontein Mines’ team achieved 1,000,000 fatality free shifts during the month of January 2011.
1,000,000 fatality-free shifts
Koornfontein Mines’ team was recognised for
their 1,000,000 fatality-free production shifts
at the Coalsafe in March 2011. Koornfontein Mines
employees take their commitment seriously and
strive to improve safety through numerous initiatives,
with the primary focus being changing behaviour.
This is an indication that Zero Harm is not a
dream – it is a reality and it is achievable. It is a great
achievement; your efforts are much appreciated.
Congratulations and well done.
Sizing screen facility commissioned
sAFETY
Zero Harm is not a dream –
it is a reality and it is
achievable.
sizing screen facility was successfully commissioned at Koornfontein plant
A at the beginning of January 2011. The 300 tonne per hour plant, which was
designed and constructed over a period of four months, was built in order to take
advantage of the inland demand for export grade sized coal.
The screening facility contains a large number of components,
most notably the Dabmar screen obtained from the recently demolished
Eikeboom washing and screening plant, in order to minimise costs. Close
co-operation took place between the project teams of Optimum Collieries and
Koornfontein Mines and the plant is currently supplying enough pea coal to
satisfy its inland customers.
Optimizer Autumn 2011
13

14
sAFETY
Optimizer Autumn 2011
Kwagga section Overland Engineering supervisor
Martin Coetzee (right) and RD Operator at
Pullenshope simon Mashabela (left), were recently
honoured for going beyond their job descriptions.
The awards were presented by Fanie de Waal, GM
Engineering Process and Projects Optimum Collieries
during the Leadership Forum meetings recently.
Martin
During the latter part of December when many of his
co-workers were on leave, Martin persevered under challenging
circumstances and managed the conveyor belt
infrastructure superbly.
On many occasions, Martin placed the interest of the
company above his own. Martin ensured belt availabilities
were excellent, and never complained when faced with
adversity.
simon
Simon Mashabela.
simon saved a colleague and an RD machine from burning by
using a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
Martin Coetzee.
600
incident-free
weeks
Well done to the Bypass Plant team for
achieving 600 weeks without incidents.
Going the extra mile
Boschmanspoort Lamproom Achievement!
floating trophy for the best lamproom in the
A Witbank/Emalahleni area was awarded to
Optimum Collieries’ Boschmanspoort section.
The lamproom team attributed the
excellent perfomance to good teamwork and
excellent support from management.
From L-R: Maxwell Nksosi, Mduduzi Ngwenya,
Millicent Mahlangu and Thokozani Skhosana.

optimum Coal CEo inspires
future mining engineers at Wits
CEo of optimum Coal Mike teke shared
optimum Coal’s views on the future of
mining in south Africa with Wits mining
engineering students at a university event
in May.
Optimum Coal began, it
was never the intention to be
“When
an impersonal coal-producing
mining company,” said Mike. “Optimum Coal is a
people business, with the well-being of its people
and the integrity of its leadership at the heart. We
are starting to deliver the vision of prosperity that
we created two years ago. We will continue to create
wealth, not only for our shareholders but also for
our employees and communities and south Africa
as a whole”.
Optimum Coal brought about true broad-based
black economic empowerment through the establishment
of its two trusts. Mike went on to elaborate
on the benefit Optimum Coal is spreading beyond
its own bottom-line: sustainable development
programmes continue to weave its business footprint
into the communities of the steve Tshwete
Local Muncipality in an integrated manner.
Mike explained that the key strategic focus areas
for sustainable initiatives are education, health,
social infrastructure development and enterprise
development.
“Optimum Coal does not operate in isolation
from its communities and the environment and
in the past year, the sustainability of its affected
communities remained a key business imperative
for the group. This will continue to be the case for
the future”, he stated.
“Optimum Coal is driven by its vision to become
south Africa’s leading empowerment company in
the mining sector”.
TRAINING
From L-R: Dr Cuthbert Musingwini from the Wits School of Mining Engineering, together with
Optimum Coal CEO Mike Teke and Makete Thema, Chairman of the Student Mining Engineering
Society (SMES). Mike addressed more than 100 enthusiastic mining engineering students from the
Wits School of Mining Engineering on Mine Managers Day.
Mike’s inspirational presentation focused on the importance of one’s attitude in business. The
students were literally sitting at the edge of their seats as Mike gave them five important tips to
consider when entering the mining world one day.
Optimizer Autumn 2011 15

16
KWAGGA NORTH PROJECT
Kwagga North Project taking shape
the main conveyor system, which will
cost r741 million, should be completed
by december 2012 and the surge capacity
bunkers by April 2012.
530 m 3 transfer bin to control coal flow to the
bunkers and overland.
Concrete works are complete for the rotary
breaker, and it should be installed by mid July
2011. It will ensure that the maximum size of
ROM on the conveyor system is 140 mm and it
will separate rock from the coal ROM product.
Material will move from Kwagga North mining
area to the new ROM tip, and will be used for
filling. A total of 360 000 cubes are required.
Optimizer Autumn 2011
Manufacturing of panels for ROM tip: total 917.
Bosmanspruit Crossing.
Kwagga North – Bosmanspruit Crossing.
Preparation on servitude – six kilometres to link
up with Kwagga Central conveyor.
Areas on the servitude are wet and need
special treatment.
Steel pipes are used to build a bridge. It was
designed by professional civil engineers. The
installation process is time consuming and very
challenging as it is in a river bed.

the newly appointed
rowan was recently appointed Chief
Project development officer for optimum
Coal Holdings where he is responsible for
the development and execution of the oCH
project pipeline. He also assists in business
development opportunities and strategic
life of mine planning for the company.
He has traversed the full mining business
circle from operations, technical, projects
to business development. He worked for
17 years for BHP Billiton, three years for Xstrata
Coal and the last two at Mmakau Mining.
Rowan is a highly motivated individual with a
Bachelor of science degree in Mining and Civil Engineering
from the University of Pretoria, a Masters
degree in Mineral Economics from the University of
the Witwatersrand, and an MBA from the University
of stellenbosch.
He is very excited about his new job and talks
with passion about the opportunities for Optimum
Coal. He feels that Optimum is ideally positioned to
consolidate the burgeoning coal sector and become a
leading coal player in sub-sahara Africa. He believes
that Optimum Coal has a strong project pipeline
which is critical to future expansions.
Optimum has always been considered a benchmark
operation by Rowan and he remembers the time
after the BHP Billiton merger when the Australians
visited the mine regularly to look at the operations.
The challenge now is to focus on talent management
and key strategic initiatives to help make Optimum a
world benchmark operation once more.
To Rowan, one of the most important Optimum
values is integrity, without which a business cannot
be successful and grow in the future.
Rowan began his career in deep level gold
mining in the Free state before moving to coal. His
coal mine experience started at Blinkpan section,
Koornfontein Mines. During this period, he obtained
his Mine Manager’s Certificate of Competency for
Metalliferous (hard rock) and Fiery Mines (coal
mines). He later worked as Operations Manager at
Optimum Colliery and Khutala Coal Mine.
He spent substantial time as Technical Manager
at Optimum Colliery and Middelburg Mines. During
this period, he presented several papers at international
conferences on mine optimisation and
productivity improvements.
He acquired international project management
experience in Queensland, Australia, where
he was the Project Manager for the Togara south
Project. Locally, he worked as Project Director for
the Klipspruit Coal Mine Project near Ogies for BHP
Billiton.
At Xstrata Coal, he was responsible for the
group technical services and business development
opportunities in sub-saharan Africa. The technical
service function included life-op mine optimisation,
mining right issues, signing off group reserve and
resource statements and taking projects through
the value chain (concept, pre-feasibility etc.) As
MOVERs AND sHAKERs
Chief Project development officer
Getting to know Rowan Karstel
part of his business development role, various coal
due diligence studies were done on opportunities in
Mozambique, Botswana, Tanzania and Zambia.
As a Director at Mmakau Mining, he was responsible
for business development across a number of
commodities like gold, coal, platinum, uranium and
chrome. Mmakau Mining was the equity partner of
Total Coal and Rowan was responsible for business
development opportunities for Total Coal in south
Africa. He was Chief Operating Officer of Mmakau
Coal as well as director of several companies: shaft
sinkers, Hernic Ferrochrome, Dorstfontein Coal
Mine, Forzando Coal Mine, Madibeng Platinum
(Xstrata) and Marula Platinum (Impala).
Rowan is a supporter of the Lions (rugby) and
Orlando Pirates (soccer). He is married to Trudie
and has two children, John-Rowan (20) and Marike
(16). He dedicates his leisure time to his family but is
also a keen golfer (handicap 14), plays tennis, enjoys
jogging and likes to scuba dive in Mozambique. He
also enjoys reading non-fiction.
Optimizer Autumn 2011 17

MOVERs AND sHAKERs
Learning is a never-ending process
Vincent Molekoa, who was recently appointed Hr Manager for
Koornfontein Mines, is extremely humbled to be part of optimum
Coal and works tirelessly to make a meaningful contribution to
the success of the company.
He joined Koornfontein Mines as an HR superintendent in January
2008. His role includes, among others, industrial relations, recruitment,
and employee relations in general.
Vincent worked for various industries such as National Brands Limited in
the Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Viro Locks and two multi-nationals AssA
ABLOY and Maxam Dantex in the Metal and Explosives Industries respectively.
He completed both a National Diploma in HR and a BTech degree studying
part-time while employed by the multi-nationals. He was employed as an HR
Practitioner, HRD Officer, HR Training Manager and lastly as an HR Manager.
In 2009 at Optimum Coal, he became passionate about understanding
general business management principles and in 2010, he completed Management
Advancement Programme (MAP) with Wits Business school.
He is married to Queeneth and has two sons Tokoloho (20) and Talente (15).
new sACAFMA President
Willem Van der Merwe, Group Risk and Audit Manager Optimum
Coal, was elected as President of sACAFMA (south African Colliery
Administration and Financial Managers Association) for the 2011/2012
term on 18 March this year. He has served on the sACAFMA Council for
a couple of years, being the Vice President for the 2010/2011
term.
sACAFMA is the official body looking after the interests of
the south African coal mining industry’s financial disciplines,
and is therefore not only company bound, but industry
bound. sACAFMA is affiliated with MPAs,
the Mine Profession Association, which is
serving the mining industry, inclusive of
Hard Rock.This is the forum where best
practices are shared between mining
houses.
sACAFMA gives inputs to
sACMA (south African Colliery
Managers Association), and is also
represented at sentinel and WCMAs
by trustee or board members.
Vincent Molekoa receiving his Management Advancement Programme
certificate from Wits Business School.
optimum Coal
graduates shine
From L-R: Vusi Zwane (Optimum Coal), Wiseman Dladla
(Optimum Coal), Raymond Tshividzo (survey graduate), Quinton
Kleinhans (mining graduate), Fhumulani Khomola (mining
graduate), Bernard Malapane (finance graduate), Rebecca
Phahlane (mining graduate) and Felicia Zikalala (Optimum Coal).

Welcome to
optimum Coal
new employees
Optimum Coal welcomes all new employees
(Koornfontein Mines, Head Office and Optimum
Collieries).
You are joining a ‘happy family’ and we hope
that you will share in our values:
• Empowerment
• Integrity
• Care
• Respect
• Purpose-driven
• Accountability, and
• simplicity.
Congratulations
Promotions
Congratulations to employees whose hard work
has paid off. We wish them well in their new
roles.
Survey assistant Dennis shabangu recently
invented a solution to faulty satellite signal
reception in certain areas on the mine
property for the GPs equipment used by Optimum
Collieries surveyors.
He designed a portable mast that can safely be
bolted on to the mine vehicles which elevates the
GPs unit and the repeater unit to a height where the
signals are easier to detect.
EMPLOYEE CORNER
invention improves reception
He then went to the workshops on his own
initiative and asked the boilermakers to assist
him in building the mast.
They then helped him and he tested the
workability of his invention before announcing its
viability to his survey manager, Apie de Klerk.
Well done Dennis! Your invention will go a
long way to improve satellite signal reception at
Optimum Collieries.
Optimizer Autumn 2011 19

20
EMPLOYEE CORNER
Apprentice Boilermaker at Optimum Collieries Joel Malema received an award for the Best Plate Welder 2010 from Colliery Training
College (CTC). A delighted Joel said: “I am honoured, excited and motivated to complete my studies and become an artisan so that
I can be employed at Optimum Coal. I enjoy the diversity of the organisation and the constant daily challenges. Working with highly
skilled individuals and the opportunities offered are some of the great benefits of working for the Optimum Coal group.”
Invention ensures waste is stored responsibly
Koornfontein Mines Foreman tinus de
Bruyn and his team constructed a waste
management station to be used underground.
The station consists of:
• a black and red bin for hazardous waste;
• a green waste bin for general waste;
• a blue waste bin for scrap metals;
• an oil tank for used oil;
• empty compartment for all the pipes.
This is a commendable initiative because it will
promote waste management as per our colour
coding, thus ensuring good housekeeping in our
sections.
A job well done to Tinus and his team!
Optimizer Autumn 2011
Best plate welder recognised
Waste storage bins at Koornfontein Mines.

Zero tolerance
HEALTH
for drug and alcohol use
Optimum Coal has a zero tolerance policy towards the abuse of alcohol
and drugs on site. This means that you are not allowed on site if you
have been taking alcohol or any drugs that can affect your health
or safety. This could include medication, which may have an intoxicating
effect on you and render you unfit to work. (You must declare any medication
and possible side effects to your supervisor as soon as possible, and before
arriving for work).
Please remember that you are responsible for your own health and safety
as well as the safety of others. Please be responsible. If you need help, you
can speak to your supervisor, HR practitioner or contact the Careways Group,
before you put yourself or others at risk.
Whatever the circumstance, you will receive immediate, extensive and
confidential counselling and advice from a highly trained health professional.
Employee wellness
During the course of our everyday lives we all, at one time or another,
experience pressure from our jobs, our family relationships, financial
burdens, ill health, HIV/AIDs related matters, the change and transformation
occuring at Optimum Coal, and the easy access to alcohol and drugs
etc. It is during these times that we are at risk of possibility developing problems
that may affect work performance.
When we are worried or upset we are often unable to work through our
problems without professional help, and it is for this reason that we take this
opportunity to remind all employees to contact the Careways Group.
to connect your body, mind and soul,
call the Care Centre at the
Careways Group on 0800 004 770
Optimizer Autumn 2010 21

HEALTH
VCCT Campaign
Empower yourself: know your status!
Optimum Coal recently hosted its third
Voluntary Counselling and Confidential
Testing (VCCT) campaign for all employees
(including contractors) so that each employee would
be empowered by knowing his/her HIV/AIDs status.
The campaign took place at Optimum Collieries,
Koornfontein Mines and Head Office. Optimum Coal
CEO Mike Teke pledged 1% of his annual salary to one
person who participated in the Optimum Coal VCCT
campaign. Congratulations to Eddie Mkhwanazi, who
had the lucky number.
We are very excited to announce that this year’s
campaign was very successful, with a large percentage
of our employees deciding to test. HIV/AIDs is a
great concern and a reality; one that we need to take
seriously and deal with vigorously!
Optimum Coal will need the support from every
employee and contractor to take responsibility, share
knowledge about HIV/AIDs and make sure they know
their status!
Optimum Coal CEO Mike Teke congratulated Eddie Mkhwanazi for being the lucky winner. Mike
pledged 1% of his annual salary to an employee who participated in the Optimum Coal VCCT
campaign at various sites at Optimum Coal.

HEALTH

Optimum Coal
DO YOU know of any FOUL PLAY in your workplace?
GIVE US A CALL, NO ONE WILL KNOW
0800 212 138
PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
BLOW THE
WHISTLE!