The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Friday expressed its disappointment over the standoff between coal miner Exxaro and State-owned Eskom regarding the possible closure of Exxaro’s Arnot coal mine, in Mpumalanga, which was no closer to being resolved. This followed reports on Thursday that the two parties appeared to be heading for arbitration on the Arnot coal supply contract. Outgoing Exxaro CEO Sipho Nkosi said Eskom’s failure to buy surface rights had resulted in a production decline and increased mining costs at the cost-plus mine.
