National coal policy to put SA back on global map
Mineral Resources Minister has announced the development of a National Coal Policy to address binding constraints that limit optimal development of the sector.
Speaking at the IHS Energy South African Coal Export Conference in Cape Town today, the Minister said the development of a Coal Policy would, among other things, help reposition South Africa’s coal sector back on the global map, and ensure that coal infrastructure requirements are sufficiently considered in the national infrastructure programme in order to achieve world-class efficiencies and promote competitive local supply.
“Coal will remain a significant strategic input to energy security and power generation. The state-owned mining company (the African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation) will be augmenting its portfolio to contribute towards greater security supply, and junior miners must also have a greater role to play as part of transforming the coal sector,” Minister Ramatlhodi said.
A coal task team, under the auspices of the Mining Industry Growth, Development and Employment Task Team Plus (MIGDETT Plus) held its first meeting last week, to map a way forward on the development of the policy.
“The task team is an example of the department’s well-entrenched culture of stakeholder participation in policy development, and jointly seeking enduring solutions that benefit all,” the Minister said.Coal remains a major source of energy for South Africa, accounting for 95% of electricity generation, 70% and 30% of primary energy and petroleum liquids fuels, respectively. It is also the mining industry’s third-largest employer and foreign revenue generator.
