Coal-Mining in South Africa 2009

Creamer Media, August 2009, Pages: 52

Most coal production in South Africa – about 53% – is from opencast mines, with the balance being produced by bord-and-pillar (40%), stoping (4%) and
longwall mining (3%). Coal mining operations are clustered in the country’s Mpumalanga province, accounting for over 84% of South Africa’s coal production. The remaining output comes from the Limpopo province’s two operating mines – Grootgeluk in the Waterberg coalfield and Tshikondeni in the Soutpansberg coalfield, the Free State’s New Vaal and Sigma collieries, and KwaZulu-Natal’s six anthracite operations.

Over 80% of South Africa’s saleable coal production is from mines controlled by five mining companies – Anglo Coal, BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa (Becsa), Exxaro Resources, Sasol Mining and Xstrata Coal South Africa. However, empowered mining companies and junior miners with black economic empowerment (BEE) partners are playing an ever-increasing and influential role in the sector. For instance, Exxaro Resources, one of the big five coal miners, is the largest BEE mining company in South Africa. In addition, Anglo Coal, Sasol Mining and Xstrata Coal South Africa are involved in JVs with BEE mining companies. The rise of BEE companies and junior miners has been facilitated by the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) and the disposal of noncore coal mining assets by the larger industry players.

Since 2003, South Africa’s coal production has remained fairly stagnant at levels of around 240-million tons a year, posting only small increases at best. This stagnation has been attributed to depleted coal mines in the Witbank, Ermelo and Highveld coalfields in the Mpumalanga province, as well as operational and technological constraints that coal miners have been facing. Geology has determined that the Witbank coalfield is by far the most significant source of South Africa’s mined coal at present.

List of abbreviations
Key Developments
The Global market
The South African market
Coal exports
The Richards Bay Coal Terminal
Black economic empowerment
Clean coal technologies in South Africa
Major coal projects currently under development in South Africa
Main participants
Anglo Coal
BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa
Exxaro Resources
Sasol Mining
Xstrata Coal South Africa
Smaller participants
Anker Coal and Mineral Holdings
Bisichi Mining
CIC Energy
Coal of Africa Limited
Kangra Coal
Keaton Energy
Miranda Mineral
Sentula Mining
South African Coal Mineral Holdings
Total Coal South Africa
Wescoal
Main sources

- Anglo Coal
- BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa
- Exxaro Resources
- Sasol Mining
- Xstrata Coal South Africa
- Anker Coal and Mineral Holdings
- Bisichi Mining
- CIC Energy
- Coal of Africa Limited
- Kangra Coal
- Keaton Energy
- Miranda Minerals
- Sentula Mining
- South African Coal Mineral Holdings
- Total Coal South Africa
- Wescoal

Product Samples

A sample for this product is available. Please Login/Register to download this sample.

Customers who bought this item also bought

• South Africa Coal Mining Market Overview and Forecast to 2020: Trends, Major Projects, and Competitive Landscape
• South Africa Coal Mining Market Overview and Forecast to 2020: Trends, Fiscal Regime, Major Projects, and Competitive Landscape
• Coal-mining in South Africa 2010
• Mining (Global)
• Coal Mining Market in Asia Pacific to 2020 - New Coal-Fired Power Plants to Enhance Regional Coal Production over the Forecast Period
• Mining Industry - Global Outlook
• IntelliNews - African Mining Review - Issue 6 2012
• Coal Mine Production in South Africa
• South African Metals and Mining Industry
• Australia Coal Mining Market Overview and Forecast to 2020: Trends, Major Projects, and Competitive Landscape