Transnet Freight Rail coal transportation project

Overview:

• The Transnet Freight Rail coal transportation project involves the construction of a 2.8km loop at Thabazimbi and the building of a new 5km coal line to connect the loops at Bleskop and Norite in the north west.
• BHP Billiton acted as the sponsor of the project.
• The second phase of expansion runs between Waterberg and Richards Bay and is due to be completed in 2018. 
• The coal transportation agreement is a long term arrangement which had to take into account major upgrades to the railways and uncertainty in the regulatory environment.  

Anna Kozakova - Journalist