Thungela has partnered with Black Power Africa, a black-owned community-based company in eMalahleni, to mine the Schoongezicht mineral residue deposit (MRD). This agreement will see the remaining coal reserves mined safely, formally and in compliance with the applicable legislation. The site will create jobs, support local businesses, and bring economic benefits to the surrounding community, while also making use of resources that would otherwise go to waste.
Mpumi Sithole, executive head of corporate affairs at Thungela said: “For us, this partnership advances the objectives of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) by promoting equitable access to mineral resources and expanding opportunities for historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs). In addition, this partnership also ensures that mining contributes to social and economic development in surrounding communities, while also encouraging participation of junior and emerging miners. In a context where illegal mining remains a serious challenge in South Africa, for both mining operations and law enforcement, projects such as this one provide a proactive and structured response.”
Under the agreement, Black Power Africa operates independently and is responsible for all remining activities, ensuring that compliance with safety, environmental, regulatory and operational requirements are executed in a responsible manner. The scope of work includes the extraction of material from the MRD, crushing and screening of material, stockpiling, deployment and use of mining equipment, and the removal of material from the site.
The remining of the coal reserves began in February 2026 and is already contributing to economic activity in eMalahleni. Black Power Africa has employed 15 local individuals and a further eight through a security service provider. The company has also partnered with five community-based businesses. Ongoing operations are expected to further enhance economic growth in the area.
Jabulani Nkonyana, general manager at Black Power Africa said: “This is a significant milestone for us because it has unlocked meaningful local business participation in a formal and structured way. This agreement has presented us with an opportunity to contribute to responsible mining activity, grow capability, and demonstrate what is possible when communities are included more meaningfully in the mining value chain.”
Black Power Africa has also supported community initiatives in Schoongezicht, Ward 17. These include sponsoring the Easter soccer tournament, helping with a police-led debate competition for local secondary schools, renovating two classrooms at Witbank Primary School, and clearing out of rubble and waste in Overline.
“This partnership reflects Thungela’s commitment to enabling communities to actively participate in the mining value chain in a responsible way. By empowering Black Power Africa, we are supporting local enterprise development, creating jobs and contributing to long-term socio-economic development for future generations of eMalahleni. This underscores our purpose to responsibly create value together for a shared future,” said Sithole.
