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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


Chart indicating the contribution of various minerals and activities to Glencore's earnings
Glencore shrugs off coal concerns ahead of Australian listing
9th October 2026 By: Bloomberg

Glencore shrugged off concerns that its coal portfolio would make it unattractive to Australia’s A$4.8-trillion ($3.3-trillion) pension industry ahead of its listing in Sydney next Wednesday. The... 


 	A new Synergy Ex IE3 loaded on a pallet ready for delivery
Flameproof motor range introduced for mining environments
9th October 2026 By: Halima Frost

The new Synergy Ex IE3 range of flameproof motors, designed by engineering components supplier BMG’s in-house engineering team in collaboration with global electric motor specialists, was launched... 


NTPC coal-fired power plant
India's biggest power producer plans more private coal buying, people say
7th October 2026 By: Reuters

India's biggest power producer, NTPC plans to buy more coal from private mining companies to overcome fuel shortages and meet rising electricity demand, two people familiar with the matter said.... 


People work in a processing plant at Dinson Iron and Steel Company in Mvuma, Zimbabwe
Tsingshan's Zimbabwe steel unit partners with state rail firm to boost haulage capacity
6th October 2026 By: Reuters

The Zimbabwean steelmaking unit of Chinese metals giant Tsingshan Holding Group on Monday signed a partnership deal with the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) to expand capacity for coal and... 


Industrial park in Indonesia
Indonesia launches pilot commodity export monitoring platform
2nd October 2026 By: Reuters

Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia, a company established by the Indonesian government to supervise commodity exports, has started the test phase for a new monitoring platform aimed at boosting price... 


LNG pipeline
Bangladesh's coal turn is a fresh bad sign for LNG exporters
1st October 2026 By: Reuters

Bangladesh should be one of the global LNG industry's success stories, but instead it is a warning sign, a Reuters columnist states. Few countries better fit the profile of a future liquefied... 


Coal-fired power plant in India
India burns through coal stockpiles in rush to ease power gap
28th September 2026 By: Bloomberg

India’s power plants are rapidly exhausting coal inventories as generators ramp up production to offset weak hydro and the evening drop-off in solar output, prompting the government to invoke an... 


Coal shipment in Indonesia
World’s top coal exporter strains to lift output as prices soar
28th September 2026 By: Bloomberg

Indonesia, the world’s biggest coal exporter, is failing to tap into soaring prices for the fuel as countries look to offset reduced natural gas supplies from the Persian Gulf. At a conference on... 


US and China flags
China says US trade truce extension creates space to advance talks
28th September 2026 By: Reuters

China said on Monday a two-month extension of a trade truce with the US would provide room for both sides to evaluate the implementation of their arrangement to resolve economic and trade issues,... 


South African coal mine
India sees coal remaining power mainstay through 2035-36
25th September 2026 By: Reuters

India expects coal to supply about half its electricity through 2035-36 as surging power demand forces the country to rely on thermal generation alongside a rapid expansion of renewable energy,... 


Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips speaking at the group's results presentation in Sandton
Transnet outlines ‘transact for value’ model for private-sector participation transactions
25th 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... 


ARM founder and chairperson Patrice Motsepe.
ARM’s Motsepe emphasises importance of honesty, integrity, governance, meritocracy
25th 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,... 


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... 


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pqt: 0.028s - ct: 0.07s - 105pq - 2rq
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