Coal's comeback may not spur new orders right away, in part because a wave of mine closures over the last decade has many producers shuffling their used equipment to new mines.

FORBES: The big dig

It also purchased a nearby coal mine to stoke the plant and concessions on two hydro power producers in eastern Kazakhstan.

FORBES: Power Putsch

The price of gold was dropping while the rand had strengthened, and big producers like Anglo wanted to sell or shut down their older, low-producing mine shafts.

FORBES: Magazine Article