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 displays major wind, solar achievement without shrinking coal 
By: Martin Creamer 22nd June 2026 Impressive renewable-energy advances were graphically displayed by coal major Exxaro during its Capital Day on Monday, June 22. The first was a... →
Africa cannot afford fragmented voices any longer, Mike Teke points out
By: Martin Creamer 19th June 2026 Africa cannot afford fragmented voices any longer, South Africa’s mining and energy leading light Mike Teke pointed out in an address at the... →
Strong exploration system essential to mining’s future, Junior Indaba points out
By: Martin Creamer 9th June 2026 A strong and vibrant exploration system is essential to the future of the mining sector, and to advancing transformation, inclusion, and long-term... →
South Africa set to run coal stations longer as gas projects lag
By: Bloomberg 28th May 2026 South Africa is poised to delay the retirement of about a fifth of its coal-fired electricity-generation capacity as gas projects earmarked to... →
Shifting from fossil fuels will fail without funding for African industry and energy infrastructure
26th May 2026 Moving to renewable energy will fail unless wealthy nations help finance cleaner energy systems, industrialisation and local mineral processing... →
Eskom in early talks with World Bank, other funders for nuclear expansion
By: Reuters 20th May 2026 South Africa's state power utility Eskom is in exploratory talks with the World Bank over funding for a multibillion-dollar nuclear programme that... →
Economy still highly concentrated, but positive trends abound, report shows
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 12th May 2026 South Africa’s economy remains highly concentrated, with about one-third to one-half of 228 economic subsectors still ranked as highly or... →
South Africa moves to quell fallout from anti-immigrant attacks
By: Bloomberg 5th May 2026 South Africa’s foreign ministry is stepping up diplomatic efforts to quell growing concern on the continent about rising anti-immigrant sentiment... →
Opinion: South Africa’s doctrine gap
23rd April 2026 South Africa keeps relitigating 1994 while the world builds the next industrial order without it, writes economic commentator Itumeleng Mahabane. →
South Africans want solar power but they worry panels will be stolen – study
17th April 2026 South Africa would seem like the perfect place for widespread uptake of solar energy. The country is sunny, with high solar generation potential.... →
