TFR annual shutdown for mineral mining and chrome

Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) will embark on a 10-day shutdown in the Mineral Mining and Chrome (MMC) sector from June 16– 25.

The shutdown will affect the Waterval Boven, Acornhoek and Mtubatuba lines, which move cargo from Phalaborwa and Witbank to Richards Bay and Maputo ports.

The shutdown is part of the rail utility's annual scheduled maintenance which enables it to “catch up” on maintenance backlogs and replace old, obsolete and problematic infrastructure.

During the shudown, no trains will run in the area that will be maintained. Volumes of other business units within Transnet Freight Rail will be rerouted and plans are in place to avoid disruptions of any sort, a spokesman said.

The Mineral Mining and Chrome (MMC) business unit is one of six business units established in April 2012, in line with the growth and efficiency strategy of Transnet Freight Rail.