Infrastructure challenges hinder progress of coal sector
2 March 2012
Mining Weekly - March 2, 2012
Sandton-based coal developer CIC Energy is keen to export coal from Botswana but says the country’s government urgently needs to make a decision concerning the implementation of the Trans-Kalahari railway line project, as the coal industry needs to know how to plan for the future.
The lack of transport infrastructure, in particular railway lines, is one of the biggest challenges hindering progress in the country’s coal sector.
CIC Energy president Greg Kinross believes the timing to expand the country’s infrastructure is perfect as coal is in its positive cycle.
The Trans Africa Rail Consortium, of which CIC Energy is a member, is currently investigating the development of a railway line from Botswana to the Waterberg coalfield, in Limpopo, South Africa, and to a port in Namibia.