Burning coal gets removed
The burning coal at Sump grounds is currently being removed.
According to the owner of the land, Roy Reisen, the coal has been on the property for more than 100 years.
It stems from the old mining days when the mined coal was transported underground.
Reisen says the unsold coal was accumulated and dropped at the grounds, in Ermelo Road, Strubenvale.
Koos Mpangani (53) took it upon himself to remove the coal at his own cost.
He started removing and recycling it two months ago.
The coal is transported to a company where it is mixed with high quality coal to extend its use.
Mpangani reckons there is about 80 000 tons of ash and low grade coal to remove.
“I am self-motivated to remove this coal and return the land to its former state.”
He says he only removes the coal at ground level and doesn’t go any further than that.
Mpangani couldn’t say how long it will take him to remove all of the coal, but that it is an on-going project.
Reisen also stated that once the coal has been removed, the grounds will be rehabilitated.
