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Coal

Coal is a combustible sedimentary rock formed from ancient plant matter and one of the world's most important fossil fuels. It consists primarily of carbon, along with varying amounts of hydrogen, sulphur, oxygen and nitrogen, and is classified by rank from lignite through sub-bituminous and bituminous to anthracite based on carbon content and energy density. Coal is extracted through surface (opencast) or underground mining methods and is used principally for electricity generation in thermal power stations, steel production in blast furnaces, and cement manufacturing. Historically, coal powered the Industrial Revolution and remains a major energy source globally, though its share of the energy mix is declining in many regions. South Africa has substantial coal reserves concentrated in Mpumalanga and the Waterberg basin and relies heavily on coal-fired power stations for baseload electricity generation. The coal industry encompasses exploration, mining, processing, transportation and marketing, and supports significant employment and export revenue in coal-producing nations. However, coal combustion is the largest single source of carbon dioxide emissions globally, and the sector faces mounting pressure from climate policy, renewable energy competition and investor divestment. The energy transition away from coal is reshaping the industry, with producers diversifying into cleaner energy sources, carbon capture technologies and mine rehabilitation. Major coal-producing countries include China, India, the United States, Indonesia and Australia, while international trade is driven by demand from Asia-Pacific steel and power markets.

Coal News


An image of a coal mine
Research demonstrates potential coal-to-products path
18th September 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

Pushing South African coal beyond being prioritised as only a fuel, research conducted by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) School of Chemical and Metallurgy Engineering has demonstrated... 


An image of coal stockpiles
Local circulating fluidised bed adoption lags international trends
18th September 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

Power plants using circulating fluidised bed (CFB) technology have not gained momentum in South Africa’s power generation landscape, despite experiencing increased uptake internationally and... 


Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe
Mantashe calls for accountability as mining sector aims for zero harm
17th September 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

As the mining sector continues to pursue zero harm, the industry has recorded progress in terms of health and safety despite challenges. Speaking at the Mine Health and Safety Summit, on September... 


BHP coal heap
Indian utilities' August coal imports surge to 15-month high as heat boosts demand
17th September 2026 By: Reuters

Indian power producers' coal imports in August rose to a 15-month high as a heat-wave and lower hydropower generation boosted electricity demand, prompting utilities to turn to costly overseas... 


Coal stockpile
China's fossil-fuelled power output falls 4.3% in August as clean energy gains
15th September 2026 By: Reuters

China's fossil-fuelled power generation fell 4.3% in August from a year earlier, figures from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Tuesday, as rising hydropower, nuclear and renewable output... 


LNG vessel
LNG demand in China and India expected to recover when Mideast war ends
15th September 2026 By: Reuters

China and India's LNG imports are likely to rebound from multi-year lows once the Middle East supply crunch ends and prices ease, industry executives expect, reversing a pick-up in coal and oil use... 


Indian coal power plant
Nearly a third of India's coal power plants have critical low fuel stocks
11th September 2026 By: Reuters

Nearly a third of India's coal-fired power plants are operating with critically low fuel stocks despite government efforts to boost supplies, as an extended spell of hot weather keeps electricity... 


Grindrod sets its sights on five growth projects from now to 2028
11th September 2026 By: Irma Venter

Ports and logistics group Grindrod is targeting five growth projects that will either grow the capacity on the existing logistics corridors the company operates, or deepen the integration of these... 


Solar PV panels
Renewables seen providing 88% of SA electricity by 2060
11th September 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

UK-based global long-term bankable power price forecaster Aurora Energy Research has released its first ever long-term prediction for the South African power market, in anticipation of the expected... 


Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips speaking at the group's results presentation in Sandton
Transnet outlines ‘transact for value’ model for private sector participation transactions
10th September 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips says the sale of a 49.99% interest in its largest container terminal last year to International Container Terminal Services had set the tone for the way in which the... 


Kumba iron-ore's Sishen mine
South Africa's mining production decreases by 7.5% y/y in July
10th September 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

South Africa's mining production decreased by 7.5% year-on-year in July, with the largest negative contributors being the platinum group metals (PGMs), coal and iron-ore sectors, Statistics South... 


Coal worker
Australian union backs class action against BHP over public holiday work
10th September 2026 By: Reuters

An Australian mining union is funding a class action against BHP that could cover up to 7 000 workers employed by the miner's labour hire subsidiaries. The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) said on... 


Ulan coal mine in Australia
Global coal demand forecast to rise by 1.2% in 2026 to a record 8.94bn tonnes due to Middle East conflict, IEA says
10th September 2026 By: Reuters

Global coal demand is forecast to rise by 1.2% in 2026 to a record 8.94-billion tonnes due to the Middle East conflict, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday. Disruptions to oil... 


Corporate PPAs to outpace public procurement in South Africa for first time in 2026 – BNEF
Corporate PPAs to outpace public procurement in South Africa for first time in 2026 – BNEF
8th September 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) are set to drive more utility-scale renewable additions in South Africa than government auctions for the first time in 2026, a new publication by... 


Drilling in Australia
BMI lists screening of foreign investment, high labour costs, wildfires as Australian mining's main risks
7th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Mining and metals research firm BMI find that Australia's industry risk profile is largely being shaped by climate exposure and labour scarcity, though these effects vary by sector. Climate-related... 


Coal in rail wagon
India ramps up coal rail shipments as power plant stocks dwindle
7th September 2026 By: Reuters

India is increasing coal shipments by rail to power plants after fuel inventories at several generators fell to critically low levels, the coal ministry said on Monday. The increase in rail... 


ARM founder and chairperson Patrice Motsepe.
ARM’s Motsepe emphasises importance of honesty, integrity, governance, meritocracy
4th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The founder and chairperson of diversified mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) on Friday, September emphasised the importance of companies behaving in a manner that reflects integrity,... 


ARM CEO Phillip Tobias.
ARM headline earnings up 19%, dividend declared
4th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The headline earnings of diversified mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) increased by 19% to R3 201-million in the financial year ended June 30 on mainly higher dollar platinum group... 


Naimon Capital executive director Roland Tatnall
Conflating power and gas cliffs will lead to sub-optimal outcomes, energy specialist warns
4th September 2026 By: Terence Creamer

South Africa’s response to the gas-supply cliff, which will arise as supply to industrial users from Mozambique falls away later this decade, should be treated separately from the country’s moves... 


Eskom CEO Dan Marokane
Eskom RT&D Centre positioned as engine for energy innovation, industrialisation
2nd September 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

State-owned power utility Eskom’s Research, Testing and Development (RT&D) Centre, in Rosherville, Johannesburg, is being positioned as a critical national asset for developing technologies that... 


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