Modern Mining October 2024

COAL

convert coal into other forms of energy, such as South Africa’s coal-to-liquids innovation, the sector may experience growth in new areas . And should the research unlock new opportunities, industry will no longer need to sell coal only to local power producer, Eskom, or the export market. Furthermore, the new avenues could ensure the viability of coal mining in the longer term.”

Nengovhela references Thungela Resources CEO, July Ndlovu’s keynote address at the Coal and Energy Transition Day, which highlighted the concern around the sustainability of the coal mining sector. “Ndlovu noted that if industry were to find ways to capture emissions resulting from the burning of coal, the pressure on the coal mining sector would be significantly diminished.” The current dilemma underscores the key role that an organisation such as Coaltech plays in research and the subsequent development of innovative technologies to address such concerns. Nengovhela explains that one of the main focus areas is for research to establish how to capture emissions, how to store it and how to use it in a variety of applications. “At the moment, that is Coaltech’s top priority. If we are able to achieve this feat, we will be able to prolong the life of the local coal mining industry beyond 2040. Secondly, we need research to investigate the potential of establishing new markets for coal. As it is, coal is used predominantly as a source of energy to fuel power stations, but by being able to

Coal mining in South Africa • Coal mining’s advent in South Africa can be traced to the start of gold mining in the late 19th century, particularly on the Witwatersrand, with the first coal in appreciable tonnages being extracted on the Highveld coal field close to the nascent Witwatersrand gold mines. important employer in the country, employing some 90 977 people. produced 231.2 million tonnes of coal with total coal sales of R252.3 billion. • 70% of coal volume is consumed domestically and more than 70% of electricity demand is generated from coal power. • Over the past four years, Coaltech has been involved in more than 160 projects. • The coal industry is an • In 2022, the country

Aligning with the revised strategy On 09 th of August Coaltech invited

Nengovhela explains that one of the main focus areas is for research to establish how to capture emissions, how to store it and how to use it in a variety of applications.

researchers at several local universities and consulting companies to put forth research proposals on potential future technologies. Over the month, the entity

expects to finalize new coal related research proposals from a

myriad of institutions associated with clean coal technologies, alternative uses of coal, water stewardship and the circular economy. This is in addition to the long-standing mining and coal processing research areas. “Aside from the several projects related to water stewardship, our focus is also on investing in the management of mine affected water and reprocessing coal dumps.

70% of coal volume is consumed domestically and more than 70% of electricity demand is generated from coal power.

14  MODERN MINING  www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | October 2024