Kentucky World Trade Center

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LEXINGTON, KY – November 4, 2009 – The Kentucky Coal and Mining Trade Mission, lead by Ying Juan Rogers, Vice President of the Kentucky World Trade Center, recently returned from a successful 10 day trip to South Africa. During the visit, the delegation met with professors at the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Cape Town; US Department of Commerce in Johannesburg; the South Africa Department of Mineral and Energy; the South Africa Trade and Investment department; and Council for Scientific and Industrial research.

Delegates also visited Sasol (South African Coal, Oil and Gas Corporation), which introduced the group to private sector coal operations on the African continent. Sasol is a South African company involved in mining, energy, chemicals and synfuels. In particular, Sasol produces petrol and diesel from coal and natural gas using the Fischer-Tropsch process. Delegates visited an underground Syferfontein mine and coal-to-liquid (CTL) operations in Secunda. Sasol’s primary business is based on CTL and gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology, which differentiates the firm from other petrochemical companies.

One of the highlights of the trade mission was a tour of the coal terminal in Richards Bay. Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) is one of the largest export coal terminals in the world. Opened in 1976 with an original capacity of 12 million tons per annum, it has grown into an advanced 24-hour operation with a design capacity of 76 million tons per annum.

South Africa is the world’s second-largest coal exporter after Australia. Its mining industry is well-developed and sophisticated. It is also the mining technology and services hub for mining operations for most African countries. Delegates learned about South Africa's dynamic and growing coal and other mining sectors; gained an understanding of the opportunities that exist in the (South) African market for U.S. companies; and discovered successful market entry strategies, including how to develop business with the right South African partners.

In sum, the trade mission was productive and fruitful. One of the delegates successfully signed a distributor agreement with a South African company. Sasol is very interested in exploring opportunities for a possible Coal to Liquid Plant in Kentucky in near future.

Delegation members include: Jeffrey Brock from Alliance Coal, James Booth, Mark Campbell and Ted McGinnis from Booth Energy, Chester Thomas from Green River Collieries, Jon Yingling from Institute for lean System; Donald Newell from Department of Energy and Independence, John H. Waugh from PHOENIX Process Equipment and Dr. Donald Challman from The University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research.

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The Kentucky World Trade Center (www.kwtc.org) is a non-profit membership organization helping Kentucky companies import, export and establish overseas operations. With offices in Lexington and Louisville, the KWTC offers counseling, market research, country programs, trade education seminars, cross-cultural training, trade missions, and referrals to local international service providers. The Kentucky World Trade Center is part of the World Trade Centers Association in New York (www.wtca.org), which administers over 300 World Trade Centers in over 90 countries.