Exxaro broke ground on its R3.3 billion, first-of-its-kind digital mine on 5 July 2018. Since then Belfast Coal has made significant progress in its construction programme and is already producing high-grade thermal coal six months ahead of schedule. As a truly digital and connected mine, Belfast will contribute to Exxaro being a thriving coal business in the region and demonstrate Exxaro's purpose to power better lives in Africa and beyond.

The ECC Dorstfontein West underground operational life beyond the exhaustion of 2 coal seam is premised on the exploitation of 4 (lower) coal seam. In 2019, the 4 seam was successfully accessed from existing 2 seam underground infrastructure. Two parallel 7m-wide and 2m-high inclines with a slope of six degrees, connected by six crosscuts, were developed by the Dorstfontein drill-and-blast stone development team, allowing for continuous exploitation of the Exxaro Coal Central (ECC) Resource.