Improved Efficiencies Boosts Loading Times At Panbult Siding

Logistics and Siding Manager Bruce Ince has been with Kangra since June 2017 and has over 20 years of experience in the coal mining sector.

He is responsible for running the Panbult Siding in Piet Retief, which is around 30 km from the mine - a logistical challenge therein of itself - that requires expert logistics management to allow for the smooth and timeous loading of Transnet’s coal wagons to deliver product to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal.

He explains that the coal is trucked from the mine where it is stock piled before being loaded onto the trains. On average 7 000 tons of coal are delivered daily to Panbult, where approximately five trains a week arrive at the siding to collect around 41 500 tons of coal a week on average.

Bruce says that when he started at the Panbult Siding train loading times were upwards of six to eight hours, which is far in excess of the standard four hours it should take to load a Jumbo, 100 wagon train. This was incurring the mine expensive and unnecessary additional railage costs.

However, he notes that since Menar took over Kangra, in September 2018, there has been a marked improvement in loading times, with most trains being loaded in less than four fours.“Menar has improved operational efficiencies throughout the operation and thereby allowing for faster turnaround times. Menar COO Bradley Hammond’s hands-on approach is just outstanding as he leads by example, which encourages everyone to commit themselves fully to realising the mine’s full potential for all stakeholders including the employees and the local community,” states Bruce.

Furthermore, he highlights that, by Menar giving support to business section managers to run their departments effectively, this gives them the strength and confidence to carry out their work – knowing that they have the backing of senior management to do their jobs.

“I feel empowered, which rubs off on all of my 30 team members - including contractors - and this is clearly bringing great success to the siding, which I have no doubt will be sustained and improved upon even further going forward,” Bruce remarks.