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South Africa is a country of the world’s largest coal exporter. Company-the world’s largest mining company to invest a lot of searching and exploration of coal mines in South Africa.

South African coal production always increased from year to year, but the South African government faces constraints to deliver coal production, because the capacity of the coal terminal capacity is still limited.

South Africa Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) plan coal storage capacity from 76 million to 91 million tons. Increased capacity of the terminal Richard Bay Coal Terminal will be conducted in the first quarter of 2010.

RBCT Chief Executive Raymond Chirwa said in a statement Monday the terminal capacity will increase to 81 million tonnes by the end of the year from 76 million tons, and expand to 91 million tons per year in the first quarter of next year – a year later than originally targeted by the RBCT.

The 1.2 billion rand ($ 160.2 million) expansion of Richards Bay will consolidate the position as the sole largest export coal terminal in the world.

‘Has been launched RBCT Phase V commissioning at technical and upgrade existing computer systems, at the latest, at the end of the first quarter of 2010, “Chirwa said.

“Coal is one of South Africa’s strategic selling points. In our RBCT is committed to maintaining this position and play our part in meeting customer demand in all our markets.”

Chirwa said earlier that there is enough coal in South Africa and the demand enough to justify the expansion, at least through the next decade.

The expansion will also serve up a black owned coal exporter.

Export terminal has been operating at less than the current capacity due to constraints in the rail network transporting coal from mines to the port.

Analysts said if the South African state owned logistics group Transnet does not deliver immediately, the terminal can still export about 60 million tons of coal export capacity expanded though.

RBCT shareholders, including miner Anglo American, BHP Billiton, Xstrata, petrochemicals group Sasol and various mining group Exxaro.

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