Coal of Africa boosted as appeal against South African colliery is rejected

Metallurgical and thermal coal explorer and developer Coal of Africa said an appeal against its Vele Colliery in South Africa has been rejected.

The London-listed company said on Thursday that Edna Molewa, South African Minister of the Department of Environmental Affairs, had dismissed the appeal made against the environmental permit given to the site in the Limpopo Province.

"We welcome this decision by the Minister and remain firmly committed to the co-existence model implemented at Vele Colliery, which seeks co-operation between mining, agriculture and heritage land uses,” said group chief executive David Brown.

“The Minister's decision represents another step towards getting the Vele Mine back into production."

Coal of Africa shares were down 0.90% to 2.75p at 1603 GMT on Thursday.