Coal line capacity moves up to 2m tonnes

Transnet Freight Rail (TFR)
has completed the first
phase of the expansion of
the coal line between the
Waterberg region in Limpopo
to Richards Bay, KwaZulu
Natal.
The project saw
the construction of a
1.8-kilometre passing loop
at Matlabas, enabling 100-
wagon trains to cross without
disrupting the operation of
other trains on the line.
As a result, rail capacity
between Lephalale in the
Limpopo Province and
Richards Bay Coal Terminal
has increased from 400 000
tonnes to 2 million tonnes
of coal per annum, said
Transnet spokesperson,
Molatwane Likhethe.
In addition, the loop has
enabled TFR to increase its
services from two trains to
five a week without the need
for more wagons.
Construction of the second
stage has begun, and will
increase the capacity to up to
six million tonnes per annum.
CAPTION
Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Bulelani Magwanishe,
officially inaugurated the new coal line between Limpopo and
Richards Bay last Thursday. Photo: Sizwe Hlatshwayo