The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and the Department of Energy (DoE) strongly support the development of an underground coal gasification (UCG) industry in South Africa, owing to its potential to diversify the national energy mix, develop skills and create jobs.

This was stated at the Fossil Fuel Foundation (FFF) stakeholders meeting held in Johannesburg last month.

UCG is a clean coal technology that enables coal to be gasified within a coal seam, converting the coal into synthetic gas, which can be used directly as a fuel for power generation. It is also a way of taking advantage of the country’s ‘unmineable’ coal seams.

The DMR and the DoE are also “very” keen to participate in the establishment of the envisaged South African Underground Coal Gasification Association (SAUCGA), the formation of which was proposed by the FFF and other stakeholders at the meeting.

The purpose of the SAUCGA is to promote the development of UCG in Southern Africa in the most “appropriate, sustainable and environmentally sound manner”, while recognising the interests of participating bodies.

The SAUCGA aims to be a recognised and coordinated point of engagement for stakeholders and will aim to establish a balanced position in the case of UCG in South Africa.

It also aims to create academic research focal points and develop skills relevant to UCG.

The association’s objective would also be to advise on, develop, enable, support and guide appropriate policies and regulations, as well as consider a series of steps leading to a South African UCG roadmap.

It was suggested at the stakeholder meeting that mining and extracting the gas would be regulated by the DMR, while the use of the gas would will be regulated by the DoE.

DMR representative Aubrey Tshivandekano said the department’s primary focus and role within the proposed association would be to develop, implement and regulate UCG policy.

Meanwhile, DoE hydrocarbons chief director Muzi Mkhize said at the meeting that coal was expected to remain the largest part of South Africa’s energy mix going forward, owing to the country being a coal-based economy.

He believes that there is space for everyone in the coal sector, “as there are ‘unmineable’ coal seams that can be taken advantage of by UCG players”.

“Coal still has a future in South Africa, but its success, however, will be based on clean coal technology development and deployment.

“We, as the DoE, support the development and use of clean coal technologies, such as UCG, and the skills development pertaining to the use of these technologies,” said Mkhize.