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 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), grading downwards into the dolerite dyke and sill intruded sediments of the Vryheid Formation (Middle Ecca Grou ........

The current Aviemore East underground mine supplies anthracite to the Coalfields site for beneficiation prior to shipment. Two additional projects have been identified to further extend the LOM in the Aviemore area:
• Aviemore North Adit and
• Balgray

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).

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 ........

- subscription is required.

- subscription is required.