Survey Of Energy Resources
COAL (INCLUDING LIGNITE)


SOUTH AFRICA

Proved amount in place (total coal, million tonnes) 115 515
Proved recoverable reserves (total coal, million tonnes) 49 520
Production (total coal, million tonnes, 1999) 223.5

From the first discovery of coal in South Africa in 1699, the country has grown to become one of the leading coal nations of the world. Coal’s prominence in the national energy scene is largely attributable to a very large resource base and historically a ready supply of low-cost labour. In the past South Africa’s political isolation led the country to restrict its dependence on oil imports to a greater degree than any other non-centrally planned economy, and to emphasise the development of its coal resources.

The coal resources reported for the present Survey are based on an assessment published by the Geological Survey of South Africa (now the Council for Geoscience) in 1987, adjusted for cumulative production of coal over the period since its preparation.

The Council for Geoscience, on behalf of the Department of Minerals and Energy, is currently carrying out a major review of South Africa’s coal resources; its report is not expected to be released until 2002, at the earliest.

Coal occurs principally in three regions:

  • the shaly Volksrust Formation, which covers most of central and northern Mpumalanga province (formerly the Transvaal). The coal is found in isolated basins and troughs which results in the fields being disconnected and widely separated;
  • the sandy Vryheid Formation of the northern part of the main Karoo basin (northern Free State, northern Kwazulu-Natal and southern Mpumalanga): this generally continuous area is probably the most important economically;
  • the Motleno Formation, which is confined to the north-eastern Cape. It is of minor economic importance compared to other coalfields in South Africa.

Some lignite deposits are known along the Kwazulu-Natal and Cape coasts, but are considered to be of scant economic importance.

Coal occurrences have been divided into 19 separate coalfields, 18 of which are located in an area extending some 600 km from north to south by 500 km from east to west. The Molteno field lies some 300 km south of the main coal-bearing region.

Eskom, the South African electric utility, accounts for well over half of coal consumption. A further large slice is consumed by the Sasol plants in making synthetic fuels and chemicals from coal. The third main user is the industrial sector, including the iron and steel industry. Coal use in residential and commercial premises is relatively small, while demand by the railways has virtually disappeared.

Coal exports are equivalent to about 30% of South African output and are mainly destined for Europe and Asia/Pacific. The main route for exports is via Richards Bay, Kwazulu-Natal, where there is one of the largest coal-export terminals in the world.

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