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Eastern Cape premier, Noxolo Kiviet, will herald an historic moment in the evolution of coal mining in the Eastern Cape.
On Friday the premier the premier will initiate the first in a series of major blasts that will signify the commencement of production at the Eli-theni Coal Mine at Indwe.
In a statement the premier's office says Eli-theni Coal has proven that over 200 million tons of coal exists in the Eastern Cape, with a further 95% of the coal rights area still to be explored.
The company has already signed an agreement with Trasteel International SA for the sale of its first two million tons of coal which will be exported through the Port of East London in November.
The premier's office says this will result in over 500 direct jobs being created in and around the mine in the next 12 months and this could increase to around 2,000 direct jobs over the next five years.
