Coal miner Liberty Coal has announced that it is implementing its long-standing plans of appointing Liberty Mine Services (LMS), a member of the Liberty group of companies, as its principal mining contractor under its own independent management, to further develop and execute the planned mining operations at Optimum Colliery, in Mpumalanga.

This marks the next phase of its long-term strategy to restore and revitalise the Optimum Colliery.

Liberty Coal says the appointment of LMS marks a significant milestone in the progressive restoration and rebuilding of the Optimum Colliery.

Liberty Coal notes that it has already invested in several major capital projects, including the rebuilding of draglines and will now introduce a new fleet of mining equipment as operations ramp up under LMS’s management.

This follows historic concerns with performance and delivery of contractually agreed volumes with independent contractors Salaria and the Veralogix group of companies.

In line with Liberty’s operational plans and long-standing turnaround strategy for the mine, the company says it is now transitioning mining operations to LMS – a specialised subsidiary within the Liberty group – which will serve as the principal mining contractor going forward.

“This is an exciting new chapter for Optimum. Our goal is to establish a stable, sustainable and well-managed mining operation that delivers long-term value for all stakeholders,” says Liberty acting CEO Hlayiseka Chauke.

As part of the transition from Salaria and Veralogix, Liberty says LMS has already completed engagements with unions, employee representatives and stakeholder forums to ensure a smooth, transparent and fair process and it has signed a Section 197 agreement to take on about 530 qualifying employees currently working at the Optimum Colliery, with the first tranche of employees already on-boarded and the balance of the employees to be transferred to it this month.

With the introduction of LMS and increased investment in equipment, systems and workforce stability, Liberty Coal says it is setting Optimum Colliery on a path toward reliable, responsible and profitable production.