EXPANSION FROM 5 TO 27mtpa (3 TO 23mtpa OF COAL)
<p>Development of the Waterberg feeder rail system to accommodate demand for: (a) domestic and export coal and (b) iron-ore, granite and other general freight originating from the Waterberg and Rustenburg area.<br />
The project consists of upgrading the existing route to increase capacity to an estimated 27 mtpa. Rail infrastructure expansion through incremental upgrades of the existing rail networks and yards by means of additional loops, maintaining the existing axle loads, electrical upgrades and improved train control systems.<br />
Five Stages from 5 mtpa up to about 27 mtpa:<br />
-Stage 1: Matlabas loop extension (moved to Coal 81mtpa project ) -completed.<br />
-Stage 2: Marekele(new), Diepspruit(new), Steel bridges, and Level Crossing at FEL4 stage -(9.5 Mtpa.) -FEL 4 deferred.<br />
-Stage 3: Boshoek(new) and Pilanesburg(New) -(13.8 Mtpa.)<br />
-Stage 4: Lengthen Matlabasand Northamloops for 200 wagon trains, additional loops at Thabazimbiand Pyramid South. Following added to stage 4<br />
-Old Stage 2: Thabazimbiloop extensions, doubling of Bleskop-Noriteand Dam-Onderstepoortsections.<br />
-Old Stage 3: Ferrogate, Arthursview, Paul, Phokeng, Rooiheuwel, Pyramid South and Lephalaleyard loop extensions.<br />
-Stage 5: Lephalaleto Thabazimbielectrification.<br />
Capacity beyond 27 mtpawill be investigated as part of the study.</p>