This technical report presents updated coal resource and reserve estimates for the Buffalo Coal Dundee operations as at 1 January 2022.
Report context
This National Instrument 43-101 technical report update was prepared for Buffalo Coal Dundee (Pty) Ltd and covers the Magdalena and Aviemore projects located in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The effective date of the resource and reserve estimates is 1 January 2022, and the report was signed on 4 April 2022. The report addresses coal resources and reserves, mine design and operations, mineral processing and metallurgical testing, recovery methods, and project infrastructure.
Processing route
Coalfields Washing Plant
The report describes an existing processing facility at the Coalfields complex. A Coal Flow diagram shows the Solids Mass Balance for the operation. The Coalfields washing plant processes run-of-mine (ROM) coal from Aviemore East, Balgray, and the proposed Aviemore North Adit. The report presents a forecast of Aviemore East, Balgray, and Aviemore North ROM production relative to Coalfields processing capacity but does not specify detailed design capacity or individual unit operations within the plant. A summary table of typical ROM and product specifications is provided.
Magdalena Washing Plant
A process flow diagram is presented for the Magdalena Washing Plant. The plant produces a saleable bituminous coal product mix. Raw coal qualities for the Magdalena resources are reported for both the Alfred and Gus Seams, with volatile matter content ranges used to delineate different coal types: volatile matter more than 7.5%, volatile matter between 7.5% and 16%, and volatile matter greater than 16%.
Calcine Plant
The report references a rotary calcine plant located at the Coalfields site. Processing costs for the calcine plant are presented separately from the washing plant costs in the operating cost breakdown.
Key reported parameters
| Parameter | Unit | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aviemore saleable coal reserves (Gus Seam) | tonnes | Reported per Table 1-2 | Proven and probable reserves |
| Aviemore saleable coal qualities (air dried) | various | Reported per Table 1-3 | Design specifications |
| Magdalena bituminous saleable coal reserves (Alfred and Gus Seams) | tonnes | Reported per Table 1-5 | Proven and probable reserves |
| Magdalena saleable bituminous coal qualities (air dried) | various | Reported per Table 1-6 | Design specifications |
| Resource washability float density products | g/cm³ | 1.55, 1.60, 1.65, 1.70 | Testwork (July 2021) |
| Historical anthracite production (Aviemore) | tonnes | Since 2003 | Historical operating data |
| Historical bituminous production (Magdalena) | tonnes | Since 2003 | Historical operating data |
| Typical ROM and product specifications | various | Reported per Table 17-1 | Testwork and historical data |
Project website: https://buffalocoal.co.za/operations/technical-reports-2022
Technical qualifications
The report states that the mineral reserves were prepared by I.A. MacFarlane, BSc.Eng. (Mining), MBL, Retired Fellow FSAIMM, and the mineral resources were prepared by Doulos Advisory Services with Kobus Dippenaar, BSc.Hons. (Geology), Pr.Sci.Nat., MGSSA as the qualified person. The resource classification follows SANS 10320:2004, with classification criteria based on borehole density. Modifying factors applied to convert resources to reserves are defined in the report, including a moisture content adjustment factor and seam height constraints. The report also notes that a comparison with previous estimates from Aviemore and Magdalena is presented.
Source: *Buffalo Coal – Resources and Reserves* technical report, January 2022, effective date 1 January 2022. Relevant sections: Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing (Section 13), Mineral Resource Estimates (Section 14), Mineral Reserve Estimates (Section 15), Mining Methods (Section 16), Recovery Methods (Section 17).
