Delmas Colliery is an underground coal mine located in Delmas, Nkangala District, Mpumalanga, South Africa, and has been in operation since 1964[1][5][6]. The mine is currently owned and operated by Kuyasa Mining Pty Ltd, making it a fully locally owned enterprise[1][6]. Its operations are significant both for the South African energy sector and the local economy, as it remains an important source of employment and economic activity for the region[5].
The mine employs the bord and pillar underground mining method and has a workforce of approximately 174 employees[1][6]. It produces about 2 million tonnes of bituminous (thermal) coal per year, mainly for domestic consumption within the inland market[1][5][6]. Delmas Colliery holds estimated reserves of 56 million tonnes of coal, ensuring its continued operation for the foreseeable future[1].
Delmas Colliery’s parent company, Kuyasa Mining Pty Ltd, acquired the mine in 2002 following a sale from BHP’s subsidiary Ingwe Coal, marking a notable example of South African black economic empowerment in the mining sector[6]. The mine has played a stable role in the local community for decades and is noted for its contribution to local development and energy supply[5].
The adjacent KiPower project aims to implement circulating fluidized bed technology to mitigate emissions and improve environmental outcomes in the area[5]. The Delmas region itself is recognized for its historically productive arable land, highlighting the intersection of mining and agriculture in South Africa’s national priorities[3].