THE coal stored at the Van Eck power station in Windhoek has been smouldering since the end of March.

Spontaneous combustion fires usually begin as "hot spots" deep within the stack of coal - a common occurrence.

The hot spots appear when coal absorbs oxygen from the air. Heat generated by the oxidation then sparks the fire.

The Van Eck station's coal stockpile currently contains 12 100 tonnes of coal.

The only way to extinguish the burning coal is by removing it or by burning it inside NamPower's boilers to create electricity. Currently both are being done.

Two units are currently loading and burning the smouldering coal. The other coal is being removed to a temporary stockpile.

So far 8 000 tonnes of coal has been removed in this manner and 6 900 tons has been burnt to generate electricity.

It is estimated that only about 8 per cent of the stockpile will be lost and damage to the conveyor belts has been minimal.

NamPower is very concerned about the carbon dioxide emitted by the smouldering coal and is doing its utmost to get the situation under control.