Coal marketing and trading
Thungela is a leading pure-play producer, marketer and exporter of thermal coal products, serving customers across domestic and international markets. Through active involvement in an integrated mine-to-market value chain spanning South Africa and Australia, we provide reliable, flexible and first-class service to our customers while maximising value across our portfolio.
Our presence and portfolio
Thungela operates a diversified portfolio of thermal coal assets across South Africa and Australia, supplying customers in both domestic and international markets.
Through our integrated marketing, trading and logistics platform, and a one-book approach across our portfolio, we optimise product placement to maximise value while delivering reliable supply and first-class service to customers globally. The long-term relationships we have built with our customers, strategic partners and service providers remain central to our success.
In South Africa, our operations are located in Mpumalanga and are supported by established rail and export infrastructure through the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT). In Australia, the Ensham operation strengthens our geographic diversification and enhances our ability to serve key seaborne markets.
International marketing and trading team
Contact us now to start a partnership that powers progress and innovation in the global coal market.
Bernard Dalton
Executive head of marketing
– Johannesburg
Refiloe Sello
Head of domestic marketing
Rendani Rabambi
Head of integrated sales and operations planning
Doug Smith
Head of export marketing
– Dubai
Diverse coal products
Supplying energy products to meet customer needs
Thungela is dedicated to supplying the global market with top-tier thermal coal, characterised by its superior quality and consistency. Through efficient operations, responsible mining practices and integrated logistics, we provide customers with reliable, cost competitive energy solutions. Our coal products are tailored to meet the diverse requirements of power generation, steel manufacturing and other industrial applications, ensuring that we deliver not just coal, but value and efficiency to our clients’ operations.
Product highlights
- Diverse product portfolio: A broad range of thermal coal products from our South African and Australian operations, meeting varying customer and market requirements and ensuring efficient energy production.
- Low impurities: With low ash and sulphur content, our coal meets stringent environmental standards, aiding in cleaner combustion.
- Reliability of supply: Integrated mining, rail and port infrastructure enables consistent and dependable delivery to domestic and international customers.
- Customisation: We offer a range of specifications to match different technical requirements, ensuring optimal performance for various industrial applications.
- Cost competitiveness: Operational efficiency, supply chain integration and disciplined capital allocation support Thungela’s ability to deliver competitive products to the domestic and international markets while generating value for stakeholders.
- Market responsiveness: Our flexible marketing and blending capabilities allow us to meet changing customer requirements and optimise value across our product portfolio
- Responsible production: we are committed to responsible mining practices and creating sustainable value or our stakeholders through the value chain
Our coal product suite
| Zibilo | Mafube | RB1 | RB2 | RB3 | RB4 | Ensham | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calorific Value Basis (kcal/kg NCV) | 6,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 | 5,500 | 4,800 | 6,000 |
| Calorific Value Min (kcal/kg NCV) | 5,850 | 5,700 | 5,850 | 5,850 | 5,300 | 4,500 | 5,600 |
| Total Moisture (ARB) | 12.0% Max | 13.0% Max | 120% Max | 12.0% Max | 14.0% Max | 14.0% Max | 12.0% Max |
| Volatile Matter (ARB) | 240% Min | 23.0% Min | 220% Min | 220% Min | 20.0% Min | 18.0% Min | 24.0% Min |
| Ash (ARB) | 13.7% Max | 14.0% Max | 15.0% Max | 15.0% Max | 23.0% Max | 32.0% Max | 17.0% Max |
| Sulphur (ARB) | 0.72% Max | 0.5%Max | 1.0% Max | 1.0% Max | 1.0% Max | 1.2% Max | 1.0% Max |
| Hardgrove Grindability Index (HGI) | 45 – 70 | 45 – 70 | 45 – 70 | 45 – 70 | 45 – 70 | 45 – 70 | 45 – 70 |
| Nominal Topsize | 50mm | 50mm | 50mm | 50mm | 50mm | 50mm | 50mm |
| IDT (in a reducing atmosphere) | Min 1,250 °C | Min 1,250 °C | Min 1,250 °C | Min 1,250 °C | Min l,l50 °C | Min l,l50 °C | Min 1,250 °C |
| Calcium Oxide in Ash (DB) | – | – | 120% Max | 12.0% Max | – | – | – |
Our integrated value chain
Connecting our operations to global markets
At Thungela, our integrated mine-to-market value chain provides end-to-end control across mining, processing, logistics, marketing and export infrastructure, enabling efficient and reliable delivery of thermal coal products to our domestic and global customers. Our diversified operations across South Africa and Australia, combined with our strategic position at the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT), support access to international markets and enhance our ability to create value across the supply chain.
Key components of our value chain
- Mining: A diverse portfolio of thermal coal products sourced from our South African and Australian operations supporting both domestic and export market requirements.
- Processing: Coal processed to meet precise market and customer specifications for various industrial uses.
- Logistics: Integrated rail and port access supports the efficient movement of products from mine to market, enhancing reliability of supply and customer service.
- Export infrastructure: Thungela holds the largest equity ownership in the RBCT operating company and offtake rights, providing strategic access to one of the worlds leading bulk exports terminals.
- Marketing and trading: Deep global market expertise and customer relationships and trading capabilities enable Thungela to optimize product placement and maximise value across a diverse portfolio of thermal coal products.
- Domestic & International Customers: Thungela supplies thermal coal products to a diverse customer base across domestic and international markets, supporting power generation and industrial activities.
Mine to market in numbers
Mining & processing
6
operating mines in Mpumalanga province
13.9Mtpa
export saleable production
Rail
Coal is transported via Transnet’s freight rail system to Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT).
49+
loading points
5
tandum tipplers (5.5 ktph)
91Mtpa
design capacity
25+
trains per day
RBCT stockyard
92+
stockpiles
8.2Mt
stockyard capacity
36+
coal grades handled
Advanced stacking and reclaiming infrastructure supporting efficient stockpile management.
RBCT shipping
4
ship loaders (10 – 12 ktph)
6
dedicated berths;
capacity for 5 Cape vessels
900+
vessels annually
57.66Mtpa
exported to Asia, Europe, Africa and other international markets
Mining & processing
1
operating mine in Queensland, Australia
4.0Mtpa
export saleable production
Rail
Coal is transported via the regional heavy-haul Blackwater rail system to the RG Tanna Coal Terminal (RGTCT) at the Port of Gladstone.
3
bottom-dump rail receival stations
80Mtpa
design capacity
18-24
trains per day
RGTCT stockyard
84
stockpiles
3.9Mt
stockyard capacity
42
coal grades handled
Advanced stacking and reclaiming infrastructure supporting efficient stockpile management.
RGTCT shipping
3
active ship loaders (6ktph)
4
wharf berths
600
vessels annually
64.29Mtpa
cost-competitive thermal coal products exported to a diverse customer base across Asia and other global markets