The surface geology covering the Aviemore area is mainly composed of the coal-bearing Vryheid Formation (Pv), with Karoo aged dolerites and Volksrust Formation (Pvo) present within the central parts of the site. The Vryheid Formation is present within the majority of the mine properties and sub-outcrop along the boundaries of the exposed dolerite. Dolerite is exposed over the central parts of the study area as a prominent hill formed by a dolerite sill. Volksrust Formation rocks outcrop within the central part of the site around the hill formed by a dolerite sill. Quaternary deposits are located within riverbeds towards the north and north-east of the site.

The Aviemore Colliery was divided into an Impati North section (includes the area covered by 174MR and the northern parts of 301MR) and an Impati South section (covered by 100083MR and the southern portions of 301MR) in the 2014 Gemecs resource report. The local geology, structure and dolerite intrusions are described in more detail below.

The Vryheid formation in the Impati North section is about 380 m thick. In the Impati North section, the Utrecht and Zuinguin dolerite sills are present. At least three major displacements occur in the resource area which range from 20 m to 50 m. The flat plateau of the Impati Mountain in the Impati South section comprises the partially weathered upper zone of a ±100 m dolerite sill overlying a thin ±10 m basal unit of the Volksrust Formation (Upper Ecca Group), gra ........

The Aviemore East underground anthracite mine provides raw coal from the Lower Gus seam to the Coalfields washing facility in Dundee, approximately 14 km from the mine site by road. The seam height varies between 1.5 m to 2.5 m with minimal mining dilution. Depth of cover increases from north to south with the majority of the current mine plan being shallower than 140 m below surface.

The mine employs the conventional drill and blast, bord and pillar mining method utilizing conventional mining equipment, handheld coal drills, electric roof-bolters and battery powered scoops. Two conventional drill and blast sections produce some 30,000 tpm to 35,000 tpm (average 390,000 tonnes per annum) over two 10-hour production shifts, Monday to Friday. Mine access is currently through an adit complex (men and material, coal clearance by conveyor and RAW ventilation main fan).

The mine is approaching the end of its life with remaining primary mining reserves and, at a base date of 1 January 2022, is expected to deliver an estimated 210 kt of ROM production.

Partial pillar extraction is planned once the primary coal reserves have been depleted utilizing the “Ling” extraction methodology. This extraction methodology was identified during a geotechnical investigation by a Rock Mechanics Consultant engaged by Buffalo Coal for this purpose. The mine is expected to extract a further estimated 227 kt of ROM production from Aviemore East from 1 January 2022, by ut ........

The Aviemore anthracite ROM is transported to the Coalfields Complex where it is processed through the Coalfields washing plant. The Coalfields washing plant consists of five sections comprising crushing, a large coal washing DMS Teska Bath, small coal DMS cyclones, spiral circuits and slimes handling. The plant has two identical cyclone modules that process ROM at 125 tph per module. The ROM is fed to the preparation screens and sized to +25 mm, 25 x 1 mm, -1 mm. The +25 mm material is fed to the Teska Bath (DMS) for beneficiation.

The 25 x 1 mm material is fed to the DMS cyclones for beneficiation. The cyclone product is screened on the double deck drain and rinse screen to produce duff (-10 mm) and peas (25 x 10 mm). The -1 mm fraction is treated in bank of four MX7 spirals per module to produce fine duff. All products including discards are conveyed to product bins. Tractors are used to transport products to the various stockpiles at Coalfields. Discard is transported ba ........