208-wagon test train loads up manganese ore

Transnet investment in the rail infrastructure is in full swing, as the company launched a test run with a 208-wagon train, from a new manganese mine in Kathu, Northern Cape, to Port Elizabeth. At the same time, a Nedbank capital expenditure list released in mid-September showed an increase in government capital spend, specifically relating to infrastructure. The test train, loaded with 13 104 tonnes of manganese ore, left Tshipi é Ntle’s new manganese mine on September 17. The test train comprised 18 diesel locomotives, four test coaches and 208 loaded CR wagons, a specific type of Transnet wagon typically used for the transport of bulk ores and minerals. The total length of the train was 2.23 km and it weighed 16 640 tonnes, including wagon and cargo. “This will be the first time that trains of this length have been run on the line from Kathu in the Northern Cape to the coast, and the train will make use of Radio Distributed Power technology, presently only utilised on the iron ore line within South Africa,” according to a Tshipi spokesman. The company is a new manganese miner in Kathu, due to commission its mine officially within the next few weeks. The mine is expected to produce 2.5 million tonnes per year of ore, with an openpit resource of 163 million tonnes. The company is also in the exploration phase at its neighbouring Tshipi Bokone project and is therefore expected to use the Transnet manganese corridor frequently for many years to come. As Transnet’s test train news reached the market, Nedbank released the capital expenditure project listing, indicating where in South Africa capital expenditure has been taking place since the start of the year. The listing showed that general government expenditure had increased noticeably between January and June, reflecting that the infrastructure plan launched by president Jacob Zuma in February is progressing, according to the bank. Transnet is well under way with feasibility studies in all of the major projects planned under the investment plan. A sectoral breakdown of the Nedbank listing showed six new projects worth R12.7 billion in the transport, storage and communications sectors. This included the planned rail line by Transnet and Swaziland’s government. The plan is to build a 146-km rail line between Mpumalanga and Swaziland, which will have the capacity to export 15 million tonnes per year of coal through Swaziland. “The initial phases of the expansions are happening,” said an unnamed mining analyst. “The money is set aside for these projects. They’re committed. And once construction starts, progress will become more tangible quite fast.” As Transnet is gearing up for its upgrades and expansions, companies should move to align themselves better to fully benefit from the Transnet programme, experts said. “That is a big advantage when you’re a new mine coming to the market, especially in the bulk alloys,” said another mining analyst. “You can build your siding with a view to accommodating longer trains to coincide with Transnet’s investment plan.” That is just what Tshipi did. Its siding has been constructed with a bigger loop to accommodate three 122-wagon trains to be parked at the siding without blocking the main line, with a view on Transnet’s vision to soon move manganese in 200-wagon trains. CAPTION TRF's 208-wagon manganese train snakes across the landscape ... breaking new ground.