Coal exploration and mining company Canyon Coal is steadily progressing its enterprise development project plan to advance the social and economic welfare of communities near its Khanye colliery operations.

Following the handover of a new canteen at its flagship opencast mine in Bronkhorstspruit, in January, the group is pursuing new initiatives that will further boost the local community and empower small local businesses.

Khanye, with a remaining life-of-mine in excess of 16 years, started mining in December 2017, ramping up to produce 2.4-million tons of coal a year and employing 400 people by 2019.

The Menar-controlled and -managed Canyon Coal opened a tender process in November, calling for businesses to bid for a canteen to provide reasonably priced, healthy and nutritious food options for the mine’s workers.

“This enterprise development project aims to provide employees with convenient, affordable, healthy food on-site and empower local community members by supporting them with business development opportunities whenever possible,” says Menar Group social licensing manager Xolile Mankayi.

Eleven local applicants and five interviews later, local women-owned catering company Kgaditse Prestige Events (KPE), run by codirectors Joyce Kgaditse and Angy Kgaditse, was selected to establish operations at the site.

“I am very grateful for the support and guidance that Canyon Coal has given us throughout the process of the establishment of the beautiful facility that you see today,” says Angy Kgaditse.

KPE employs three to five personnel from the local communities.

At a cost of about R74 920, Canyon established the canteen, comprising a full kitchen and an outside seating area.

Current operating times are being tested before permanent business hours are established to ensure the canteen operates at times most suitable for the majority of employees at the 24-hour mine.

The mine’s social and labour plan stipulates that business opportunities be given to local community members, with sufficient support to ensure sustainability, says Canyon Coal procurement manager Carmia Pretorius, adding that the company provides legal, financial and administrative support for the small business.

She adds that there are two new undisclosed corporate social initiatives under way that will be finalised by April.

This is in addition to upskilling 20 local community members in the use of articulated dump trucks over the past two months.

Canyon kicked off its first 'mobile machinery operating for surface excavation' course at Khanye in November, ensuring a new pool of skills that could be leveraged at other mines in the community where needed or to fill a vacancy at Khanye should one arise.

Mankayi says that the company, which offers a variety of bursaries and learnerships, also plans to embark on a R1.3-million upgrade of the nearby Mkhambi Primary School.