South Africa coal mines and South Africa coal mining play an important role in the country’s economy, with 77% of all primary energy needs being provided for by coal. South Africa also exports nearly one quarter of all coal, while coal mines in South Africa, and their direct supporting industries, employ roughly 55 000 people.
According to Eskom, coal mines in South Africa produce 224 million tonnes per year. South Africa is the world’s seventh-largest coal producer after China, USA, India, Australia, Indonesia, and Russia. 31% of all coal mines in South Africa can be found in the central Highveld while Witbank and Ermelo feature 30% and 13, 8% respectively.
Coal mines in South Africa can also be found in Waterberg, Sasolburg, South Rand, Utrecht, Kliprivier, Soutpansberg. Nearly 85% of all coal mines in South Africa are owned and operated by Anglo American’s Thermal Coal, BHP Billiton’s Ingwe Collieries, Sasol Mining, Eyesizwe and Kumba Resources.
Approximately half of all coal mines in South Africa use open pit mining techniques, while the other half relies on sub-surface techniques.It is estimated that coal mines in South Africa have the potential to access reserves of between 30 billion and 53 billion tonnes – enough to sustain coal mines in South Africa and its supporting operations for nearly 200 years at current output capacities.
Africa Mining IQ (AMIQ), the leading mining info source on coal mines in South Africa and coal mines in Africa, lists the New Largo Project surface mine, and the Mafube Colliery as the largest coal mines in South Africa. The Mafube Colliery supplies 1.1 million tonnes of coal annually and supplies Mpumalanga’s Arnot Power Station. As one of the largest coal mines in South Africa, this project is estimated to be worth approximately ZAR 16 billion over its lifespan.
The New Largo Project is listed as the second largest coal mine in South Africa. It supplies 15 million tonnes of coal yearly to the Kusile Power Station, about 25 km outside of eMalahleni. The project is valued at roughly ZAR 11 billion over its life span.AMIQ will also provide you with information on new mines in South Africa and Africa, enabling you to get ahead of your competitors.
