Date: December 18, 2019
Location: Volksrust, Mpumalanga (South Africa)
Address: N11, Volksrust, 2470
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Coal Dust
Industry: Utilities Provider
Equipment: Conveyor Belt
Company: Eskom
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company’s website, Eskom is a state utility provider located in Sunninghill, Sandton, South Africa. It was founded in 1922 and generates approximately 95% of the electricity used in South Africa and 45% of the electricity used in Africa. The company generates, transmits and distributes electricity to industrial, mining, commercial, agricultural and residential customers and redistributors.
The Majuba Power Station, where the incident occurred, is the only Eskom power station that is not linked to a specific mine. Instead, it receives its coal from various sources. It is the company’s second largest power plant, with an installed capacity of 4 110MW.
Incident Description:
On December 18, 2019, The Citizen reported a fire in a coal conveyor belt and silo at a power station in Volksrust, South Africa.
The power utility later confirmed that fire broke out at the incline conveyor belt system from the rail offloading facility at about 3:00 pm.
The station’s fire brigade extinguished the fire quickly. The company stated that after the facility cooled down, it would conduct a forensic investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Social media users expressed concerns about possible load shedding, but according to the company’s statement, this should not happen.
No injuries were reported.
Sources:
The Citizen
