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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


Minerals Council Senior Executive: Environment, Health, Legacies and Employment Relations Shamini Harrington.
Climate action and growth need to reinforce each other, Minerals Council event hears
Updated 7 hours ago By: Martin Creamer

Climate considerations are increasingly shaping how business is done, Minerals Council South Africa senior climate specialist Shalendra Subramoney said on Friday, October 30, in launching the... 


Transnet Port Terminals CEO Jabu Mdaki
Transnet Port Terminals weighs further private partnerships to accelerate volume growth
30th October 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), which was central to the broader Transnet Group’s first and largest private sector participation (PSP) transaction to date, is actively pursuing two more partnership... 


Coal for Indonesian off-grid power plants no longer subject to 'domestic market obligation', official says
29th October 2026 By: Reuters

Coal supply to Indonesia's off-grid power plants will no longer be considered part of the so-called 'domestic market obligation' for miners, an energy and mineral resources ministry official said... 


A mineworker walking past a coal stockpile
Vietnam's Vinacomin to keep coal output at 40Mt/y up to 2030, State media reports
29th October 2026 By: Reuters

Vietnam's top miner Vinacomin plans to keep coal output at 40-million metric tons per year through 2030 to meet domestic demand, mostly for power generation, State media reported on Thursday. The... 


Menar coal mine
Menar garners coal industry insights at eighth MJT Mining Literacy Programme
28th October 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Having hosted its eighth MJT Mining Literacy Programme earlier this month, coal investor Menar brought together industry experts and professionals from diverse backgrounds to explore the... 


Coal-fired power plant in India
Half of India's coal plants run critically low on fuel as power demand surges
21st October 2026 By: Reuters

Half of India's 191 coal-fired power plants are operating with critically low fuel stocks owing to a surge in power demand amid hotter-than-usual weather linked to El Niño, government data showed.... 


BHP's operational review for quarter ended September 30.
Trade uncertainty, energy, freight costs continuing to create headwinds – BHP
20th October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Global markets remain volatile, with geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainty, and elevated energy and freight costs continuing to create headwinds across the mining industry, BHP CEO Brandon Craig... 


EU still committed to keeping oil, coal and gas in ground in Arctic, new strategy says
20th October 2026 By: Reuters

The European Union remains committed to "ensuring that oil, coal and gas stay in the ground, including in Arctic regions," according to a new Arctic strategy presented by the European Commission... 


Coal mine in Australia
China's Australian coal imports surge to six-year high
20th October 2026 By: Reuters

China's coal imports from Australia surged in September to their highest level since April 2020, before Beijing's unofficial ban on Australian coal imports disrupted trade, customs data showed on... 


India’s largest utility, NTPC, to deploy 247Solar's advanced solar thermal technology in its first commercial project
19th October 2026

India's largest electric utility, NTPC Limited, formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation, has signed a power purchase agreement with 247Solar, a Virginia-based company that has... 


Minerals Council South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjane
Strong commodity prices in 2025 ensure modest growth backing for SA mining – Minerals Council
16th October 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

While the South African mining sector continues to navigate a period of profound international and domestic change, this year has reinforced both the resilience of the sector and the importance of... 


An image of the new PROK facility in Roodepoort
New idler, roller facility brings products closer to SA mines
16th October 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

Mine conveyor idler and components manufacturer PROK South Africa has started operations at its new conveyor idler manufacturing facility in Roodepoort, Gauteng. The facility started operations in... 


Eskom CEO Dan Marokane
Eskom revamps its strategy as monopoly fades
15th October 2026 By: Reuters

South Africa’s State power utility is looking to develop new revenue streams as it prepares to unbundle and relinquish its dominance in electricity generation and transmission. Eskom executives are... 


An image of WMI director Professor Dr Pontsho Twala
WMI seminar explores challenges to sustainably grasping opportunity-rich mining future
14th October 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The Wits Mining Institute (WMI) held its annual industry seminar on October 8, titled “From legacy to leadership: shaping sustainable mining futures”. Industry leaders explored the key challenges... 


Energy security and sustainability: A shared opportunity for South Africa’s mining sector
14th October 2026

South Africa’s energy transition is a shared opportunity to strengthen energy security and sustainability while supporting growth and cutting emissions. At the Joburg Indaba, Kearney Partner... 


Coal piles
China September coal imports fall 6% on high inventories, Indonesia supply constraints
14th October 2026 By: Reuters

China, the world's largest buyer of coal, cut its September imports by 6% from a year earlier, customs data showed on Wednesday, as solid domestic inventories reduced demand while export... 


Coal on conveyor belt
Europe's battery boom has a dirty secret, says public policy expert
14th October 2026 By: Reuters

Europe's battery boom is proving that storage can help lower peak power prices. But unless government policy changes, battery systems may simply profit from fossil-fuel use instead of helping to... 


Coal on a conveyor belt
South Africa's August mining output down 12.7% y/y on lower PGMs, coal, iron-ore production
13th October 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reports that the country's mining production decreased by 12.7% year-on-year in August, with platinum group metals (PGMs), coal and iron-ore having made the... 


Coal truck with power station in background
India may need to raise coal power capacity as demand surges, official says
13th October 2026 By: Reuters

India's rapidly growing demand for electricity could force it to add substantially more coal-fired power capacity than planned, the head of the power sector planner said on Tuesday. The South... 


Coal mine in India
Blackouts hit Indian factories as coal crunch feeds into economy
12th October 2026 By: Bloomberg

Indian factories, smelters and households are being hit by blackouts and rising energy costs as the impact of plunging coal stockpiles at the country’s power stations ripples through the economy.... 


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pqt: 0.022s - ct: 0.067s - 105pq - 2rq
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