Coal
Coal is a combustible sedimentary rock formed from ancient plant matter and one of the world's most important fossil fuels. It consists primarily of carbon, along with varying amounts of hydrogen, sulphur, oxygen and nitrogen, and is classified by rank from lignite through sub-bituminous and bituminous to anthracite based on carbon content and energy density. Coal is extracted through surface (opencast) or underground mining methods and is used principally for electricity generation in thermal power stations, steel production in blast furnaces, and cement manufacturing. Historically, coal powered the Industrial Revolution and remains a major energy source globally, though its share of the energy mix is declining in many regions. South Africa has substantial coal reserves concentrated in Mpumalanga and the Waterberg basin and relies heavily on coal-fired power stations for baseload electricity generation. The coal industry encompasses exploration, mining, processing, transportation and marketing, and supports significant employment and export revenue in coal-producing nations. However, coal combustion is the largest single source of carbon dioxide emissions globally, and the sector faces mounting pressure from climate policy, renewable energy competition and investor divestment. The energy transition away from coal is reshaping the industry, with producers diversifying into cleaner energy sources, carbon capture technologies and mine rehabilitation. Major coal-producing countries include China, India, the United States, Indonesia and Australia, while international trade is driven by demand from Asia-Pacific steel and power markets.
Coal Updates
Exxaro lifts revenue, continues to scale renewable-energy business
By: Martin Creamer 20th August 2026 Despite heightened geopolitical tensions, increasing inflationary pressures and broader macroeconomic headwinds, South African resources group... →
South Africa is overlooking solar technology that can keep generating electricity after sunset
18th August 2026 South Africa’s coal-fired power stations are retiring. The country must replace a huge amount of electricity over the next two decades. Currently,... →
BLSA CEO’s Weekly Newsletter - Reform resisters are costing South Africa jobs and that must stop
17th August 2026 The dreadful unemployment figures last week signal a worsening crisis, especially for our young people. It is a sign of the failure to get our... →
Solidarity warns: Don't repeat these industrial policy mistakes
7th August 2026 Solidarity identified economic growth as the most critical requirement for industrial development, job protection and job creation during a... →
Is South African mining’s modernisation urgency falling largely on deaf ears? 
By: Martin Creamer 6th August 2026 Despite South African mining ending up tenth in a ten-country global benchmarking exercise, two-thirds of the respondents who participated in a... →
Treasury says infrastructure bonds to become permanent part of funding activity
By: Terence Creamer 4th August 2026 National Treasury director-general Dr Duncan Pieterse says there is strong interest from institutional investors to support government’s public... →
Considerable room to increase mining’s innovation intensity, survey finds
By: Martin Creamer 4th August 2026 The results of a study on the modernisation of South African mining indicate that there is considerable room to increase innovation participation... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President, at the opening of the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm (31/07/2026)
3rd August 2026 It is here that generations of coal miners, power plant workers, engineers, artisans, technicians and entrepreneurs helped to build the modern... →
Eskom flags further coal-closure delays ahead of official update
By: Terence Creamer 22nd July 2026 Eskom Holdings CEO Dan Marokane says the State-owned utility will outline its proposed approach in September in relation to the decommissioning of... →
Beyond the build: Green jobs in SA’s renewables industry
7th July 2026 South Africa’s renewable energy industry has created tens of thousands of jobs, but most disappear once construction ends. South Africa’s green... →
