Bitter battle rages between workers and Wescoal over Mpumalanga coal mine

The future of the Arnot coal mine hangs in the balance as Wescoal, a 50% shareholder, seeks to place the entity in business rescue. The other 50% shareholder, Arnot InvestCo, which the former employees of the mine own, has opposed such a move, accusing Wescoal of wanting to control the business.

The Arnot mine was previously owned by Exxaro Resources and was shuttered in 2015 after a long-term supply agreement with Eskom expired and wasn't renewed.

Efforts by former Exxaro employees of the mine saw a deal in which these employees became joint shareholders with Wescoal in a new mining company, named Arnot OpCo.