South Africa is measured against global coal mining statistics and assumptions are being made that we are in the same position as countries such as the United Kingdom, where their mining industry has been operational for centuries. In Mpumalanga mining accounts for 83% of South Africa’s coal production.
Coal mining expert Vuslat Bayoglu said, “South Africa has abundance of coal to deliver low-cost and reliable energy while sustaining more than 700 000 direct and indirect jobs in coal mining.” Several experts have also indicated that renewables are not able to provide for our current base load hence coal is essential in providing the consistent flow of power to households and industries. With round 75% to 80% of electricity produced by Eskom stemming from coal-fired power stations coal and renewables should not be seen as competition against each other, but instead should be viewed as complementary power sources.
How does this affect our local economy? For clarity on the burning questions join MCCI for the first ever Coal Mining Symposium to be held on the 5th of September 2019 in the heart of coal Mining – Middelburg Mpumalanga.