COAL
Coal
Coaltech CEO Avhurengwi Nengovhela outlines how coal, through innovation and research, can evolve from a traditional fuel into a source of critical minerals, clean molecules and high-value carbon products.
Coal continues to play a central role in South Africa’ s energy system and broader economic framework. In 2024, the country produced approximately 235 million tonnes( Mt) of saleable coal, with 65 – 70 Mt exported. This export activity generated substantial foreign earnings and supported close to 100 000 direct jobs, according to data from Minerals Council South Africa( 2024).
Despite this significance, the discourse around coal is often limited to its negative environmental implications. While these concerns are valid and require ongoing attention, the broader strategic potential of coal as a carbon-based resource must not be overlooked.
“ When the conversation around coal focuses solely on its environmental liabilities, there is a risk of overlooking its potential as a strategic carbon resource,” says Avhurengwi Nengovhela, CEO of Coaltech. With focused research, development, and innovation( RD & I), he says, coal can serve as a platform for the production of advanced materials, clean molecules, critical minerals and other high-value co-products.
The role of RD & I in coal’ s future
Coaltech, a leading coal research association in Africa, has spent the last 26 years working to reposition coal as a multi-faceted resource. As a member-based organisation integrating stakeholders from industry, government and academia, the company has demonstrated the transformative potential of RD & I in diversifying coal’ s value chain and reducing environmental impacts.
“ Coaltech has consistently demonstrated how targeted RD & I can turn coal from a single-use fuel into a multi-faceted resource base for new industries,” notes Nengovhela.
This transformation involves improving combustion performance and embracing a circular economy approach where all by-products are considered valuable inputs into new industrial processes.
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