The 4,800MW Kusile plant and the almost identical Medupi facility will be key to meeting its demand for energy.

South Africa’s reliance on coal to generate most of its power makes it an environmental pariah but it’s also helping keep inflation in check.

The mine is expected to produce 175,000 ounces of the precious metal over the next 12 months, ramping up to 220,000 ounces the second year.

Transnet announced it had lifted force majeure on nine coal exporting parties that had agreed to amend transportation contracts but voiced frustration at not being able to reach a deal with other miners.

An average 1,500 trucks mainly exporting chrome and coal travel to Maputo’s port along the highway daily.

The property is located between the company's Boto gold project in Senegal and its Diakha-Siribaya gold project in Mali.

The animals were donated by Exxaro Resources, which in 2014 also relocated 10 white rhinos to Botswana to bolster an existing small population.