From Coal to Mopani: Tshikondeni

Tshikondeni is a small mining town in the Limpopo province of South Africa. The town is known for its coal mine, owned by Exxaro Coal. The Tshikondeni coal mine has had a long and arduous journey since its first production in 1984. Despite the challenges, the mine has left a lasting legacy and ended on a high note.

The coal mine is located about 140 kilometers east of Musina and employed 770 people. It produced 414ktpa of premium hard-coking coal using conventional board and pillar extraction methods. The coal was beneficiated using cyclones, spirals and froth flotation. The beneficiated product was then trucked to Musina and railed to MittalSA’s works at Vanderbijlpark under a long-term agreement.

In addition to its mining history, Tshikondeni is also undergoing an economic transformation. An economic upliftment initiative has been launched in the town, including establishing a first-of-its-kind malaria research centre.

Tshikondeni may be a small town, but it has a rich history and a bright future among the many Mopani trees. Its coal mine has left a lasting impact on the community, and the town is now looking towards new opportunities for growth and development.