Asure Resources to Open Mpumalanga Coal Mine After Eight Years of Inactivity

Asure Resources plans to officially open Asure Colliery in Kriel, Mpumalanga, on 17 June 2026. The colliery, previously known as Fentonia Colliery, has been inactive since 2018. Its reopening returns the mine to production and restores economic activity at the site.

Asure Resources launched the project to bring the mine back into production after years of inactivity. Located in one of South Africa’s key coal-producing regions, the operation could support local employment and stimulate business activity across related industries.

E&T Minerals and A-Z Investments are developing the project, bringing together experience in mining operations, commodity trading, investment structuring, and logistics. Beyond the mine itself, the partners say the project also aims to widen participation in the mining sector.

Youth Participation in Mining

The launch takes place during South Africa’s Youth Month and the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising. According to Asure Resources, young professionals play a significant role within the organisation, with 50% youth and Black representation on its board. Women account for 80% of the workforce across the group’s operations.

The company says the project reflects its focus on expanding participation in sectors that historically offered limited opportunities to younger entrepreneurs and professionals. It also comes at a time when employment remains a pressing concern across many parts of the country.

Employment and Economic Activity

Finding work remains a challenge for many South Africans, particularly young people entering the labour market. Projects that return inactive industrial assets to operation can create employment opportunities while generating economic activity in surrounding communities.

The Asure Colliery project could create direct and indirect employment through mining operations and related services. The economic benefits may also extend beyond the mine, supporting contractors, transport providers, suppliers, and other businesses operating in the area.

Company estimates suggest the mine could operate for about eight years. The site also benefits from existing infrastructure links that connect it to both domestic and export markets, supporting its role within South Africa’s broader coal value chain.

Supporting Energy Supply

Before entering care and maintenance, the former Fentonia Colliery supplied coal into South Africa’s energy value chain. Returning the mine to operation adds production capacity to a sector that remains important to the country’s electricity generation and industrial activities.

The official opening ceremony will bring together representatives from government, mining companies, financial institutions, and logistics businesses interested in the project and the region’s mining sector. Alongside its mining activities, the company has also outlined plans aimed at supporting local skills development.

Skills Development Initiatives

Asure Resources has announced plans to support skills development programmes in nearby communities. These initiatives include Fourth Industrial Revolution training opportunities that help young people develop skills relevant to modern workplaces.

The company says combining mining investment with skills development can help create opportunities that extend beyond the mine’s operational lifespan.

Asure Colliery’s return to production adds another operating mine to Mpumalanga’s coal sector while creating opportunities for local businesses and workers. The project also demonstrates how investment in existing mining assets can restore activity at sites that have remained idle for years.