Coal mining’s unending predicament: SA’s black sheep or black panther?
Amalahle, Amalahle, Amalahle (Coal, Coal, Coal) S'funa 'malahle (We want coal)
Brenda & The Big Dudes’ hit track Amalahle – which debuted in 1987 – was seemingly prophetic; as present-day South Africa’s energy mix is still singing it loudly.
Like the late superstar Brenda Fassie, coal will likely continue to be important to South Africans for a very long time.
Eskom heavily relies on coal for electricity, as referenced by rapper K.O in the 2014 hip-hop track Run Jozi:
We outchea living that Eskom life
Yeah, we in that power circle
I recently attended the third annual Menar Journalism Training (MJT) hosted by coal mining company Menar at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Event speaker and Daily Maverick associate editor Sikhonathi Mantshantsha pointed out that if Eskom sneezes, the whole country catches a cold. Moreover, the reality is that global emission standards are tightening, with Mpumalanga being one of the largest emission hotspots. In his presentation, Menar CEO Vuslat Bayoglu highlighted South Africa’s 118-year coal reserve, while noting Menar’s contribution to coal-rich communities; through jobs and other initiatives.
Nevertheless, the question remains: what good is economic development, if the air becomes toxic?
At the training, Mergence Corporate Solutions mining director Peter Major commented that non-compliant coal power stations need to be shut down, to redeem the sector.
Notably, Kusile Power Station’s use of the wet flue gas desulphurisation (WFGD) technology removes sulphur dioxide and particulate matter emissions, thereby ensuring better air quality. I figure, if coal mining companies actively partner with power stations by investing in WGFD, they may fully exploit their 118-year resource.
MJT delegates also learnt the intricacies of the mining industry from its key players. The two-day training ended with an eye-opening site visit to Menar subsidiary Caynon Coal’s Khanye Coilery in Bronkhorstspruit. It underlined that for now, the fact remains: S'funa 'malahle.
By Mamaili Mamaila
