The New Clydesdale Colliery is located at Witbank coalfield. In some areas of the Witbank Coalfield, the No. 1 Seam is a source of high-grade steam coal suitable for export after beneficiation (Smith and Whittaker4 and Snyman6). According to Barker7, the No. 1 Seam frequently has very low phosphorus content and in such cases it is usually mined separately as metallurgical feedstock. The No. 2 Seam contains some of the best quality coal.

It generally displays a well-defined zoning with up to seven (five in some areas) distinct coal zones of different coal quality with the three basal zones being mined mainly for the production of low-ash metallurgical coal and export steam coal. The upper part of the seam is generally shaly and unmineable; selective mining takes place within the better quality lower part of the seam (Smith and Whittaker4).

The No. 4 Seam is generally of poor quality and consists of predominantly dull to dull lustrous coal with the upper portion being of poor quality. Thus mining is restricted to the lower 3.5 m portion of the coal-seam, which is mainly used as a power station feedstock and as domestic steam coal (Smith and Whittaker4). The No. 5 Seam has been mined as a source of blend coking coal and for metallurgical uses especially in the central Witbank area where it is of higher quality (Smith and Whittaker4).

Sedimentological investigations of the coal bearing Vryheid Formation (Karoo Sequence) in the Witbank Coalfield have revealed that coal peat deposition was associated with both marine and non-marine palaeodepositional events. At the terminal stage of peat accumulation, swamps were inundated by marine transgressions which deposited mud and silt above the peat (coal) and these overlying sediments contain typical marine features: glauconite associated with marine ichnofossil assemblages. In similar stratigraphic positions elsewhere in the basin, the peat swamps were invaded by basinward prograding non-marine fluvial systems which deposited coarse sand and gravel over the peat. These overlying sediments are coarse-grained arkosic strata.

Mining method - Truck and shovel (~3:1 strip ratio), Room and pillar.

Coal is treated in the existing NCC coal processing facility that includes conventional crushing, screening and washing circuits based on dense medium separation techniques, at a monthly rate of 170,000 to 190,000 tons of ROM. The plant includes proven processing technology, has a proven record and the planned production rate is consistent to that achieved historically at NCC.