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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.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

Middle East conflict drives Asian utilities and Chinese planners back to coal

Disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of global oil and LNG trade passes, has pushed Japan to cut gas-fired generation by 16% in June while lifting coal generation by 4.6%, as LNG spot prices in Asia sit about 70% above pre-war levels. China's new five-year energy plan targets half of electricity from non-fossil sources by 2030, yet coal output remains near record levels of 4.82-billion tonnes a year, with coal increasingly used as a feedstock for chemicals and liquid fuels as crude imports ease.

Energy shock lifts South African mining input costs, hitting coal, chrome and manganese hardest

Minerals Council South Africa reports its Mining Composite Input Cost Index rose to 5.3% year-on-year in May, up from 2.8% in April, driven by a 15.3% month-on-month jump in coke and refined petroleum products after Brent crude averaged $103.80/bl. Coal, chrome and manganese producers faced disproportionate increases owing to heavy road-based transport and storage exposure, and further pressure is expected as winter electricity tariffs raise costs by 20% to 30% through September.

US keeps ageing coal plant running despite planned retirement

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright ordered Colorado's Craig Station Unit 1 to remain operational through September 26 on grid-reliability grounds, extending a pattern of emergency orders keeping ageing coal- and gas-fired plants running beyond scheduled closures, even as renewables overtook coal as the world's largest electricity source in 2025.

Coal Updates


Exxaro CEO Ben Magara.
Exxaro displays major wind, solar achievement without shrinking coal
10th July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Impressive renewable-energy advances were graphically displayed by coal major Exxaro during its Capital Day on Monday, June 22. The first was a wind turbine involving 600 m3 of concrete in a 25 m... 


Grindrod reports Maputo port volume rise, sees transport constraints easing
Grindrod reports Maputo port volume rise, sees transport constraints easing
10th July 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Logistics group Grindrod has highlighted that it expects an improvement in its overall performance in the second half of the year as weather-related disruptions ease and rail capacity recovers. CEO... 


Niel Lourens- VP Cyclones and Spirals
Precision in every particle: Multotec’s spirals and cyclones redefine separation efficiency
9th July 2026 By: Haydon Whitley

In an era where accuracy and efficiency define mineral processing performance, Multotec is advancing the science of separation through its high-efficiency spiral concentrators and cyclones.... 


Coal truck
Vietnam looks at more coal power plants as Iran war complicates LNG plans
8th July 2026 By: Reuters

Vietnam's government is considering building more coal-fired power plants to ensure it can meet its energy needs, the government said on Wednesday, as the Iran war further complicates its slow... 


Mining cost pressures accelerated in May as energy shock took hold
Mining cost pressures accelerated in May as energy shock took hold
3rd July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Minerals Council South Africa has reported that mining input cost pressures accelerated sharply in May, reflecting the transmission of higher global energy prices into the South African economy... 


Coal plant
Japan cuts gas in favour of coal as Hormuz disruption chokes LNG
3rd July 2026 By: Bloomberg

Japan sharply reduced natural gas-fired power generation last month, instead relying more on coal, as disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz tightened supplies of the cleaner-burning fuel. The... 


Fossil generation ‘substituted’ by renewables in 2025 amid electricity tipping point
Fossil generation ‘substituted’ by renewables in 2025 amid electricity tipping point
30th June 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Record global electricity demand last year was met entirely by low-carbon sources, resulting in fossil fuels generation being substituted rather than supplemented, the Energy Institute’s... 


Craig Station Unit 1 and 2
US issues order to keep Colorado coal plant available through summer
29th June 2026 By: Reuters

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright issued an emergency order to keep a coal-fired power unit in Colorado operational to ensure reliable electricity supply, the US Department of Energy said on... 


PRECISION RIPPING
Zizwe Opencast Mining has developed an in-house precision mechanical ripping capability using Xcentric XR82 hydraulic impact ripper units mounted on excavator carriers
Precision ripping gains traction in restricted mining zones
26th June 2026

Mining contractors are increasingly adopting precision mechanical ripping technologies as South African opencast operations face growing pressure to reduce the environmental, social and operational... 


a mini excavator
Automation, efficiency drive equipment demand
26th June 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Productivity, automation, safety and sustainability initiatives are increasingly shaping investment decisions in South Africa’s earthmoving and surface mining equipment sector, says diesel engine... 


a motor grader
Made-in-SA grader awarded accolade
26th June 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

A motor grader range engineered and manufactured by South African heavy equipment manufacturer Bell Equipment received the Innovation for Surface Mining Award at the Mining Equipment Manufacturers... 


An image of PwC South Africa energy, utilities and resources leader Andries Rossouw
Action imperative for future success of global mining industry – PwC
25th June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The mining industry is delivering a solid financial performance despite grappling with rising geopolitical pressures, energy transition demands and structural investment gaps. However, despite this... 


Grindrod reports Maputo port volume momentum, says transport constraints expected to ease
Grindrod reports Maputo port volume momentum, says transport constraints expected to ease
24th June 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Logistics group Grindrod has highlighted that it expects an improvement in its overall performance in the second half of the year as weather-related disruptions ease and rail capacity recovers. CEO... 


Menar coal mine
India nears 50% domestic coal use in import-based power plants, sources say
24th June 2026 By: Reuters

India is increasing the use of domestic fuel to more than 50% at power plants designed to run on imported coal, as the world's second-largest thermal coal importer seeks to curb costly overseas... 


Coal
China's coal power on the rise again in 2026, reversing first-in-a-decade decline
24th June 2026 By: Reuters

China's coal-fired power generation is set to rebound this year from its first fall in a decade, analysts said, due to the impact of El Nino and the Iran war and as renewable sources of energy have... 


Coal processing plant in Russia
India pivots to Russian crude and coal to mitigate Iran war fallout
23rd June 2026 By: Reuters

India has swung to buying Russian crude oil and coal to bolster its energy supplies after flows were disrupted and prices rose during the Iran conflict. The world's third-largest oil importer is... 


Exxaro CEO Ben Magara.
Exxaro displays major wind, solar achievement without shrinking coal
22nd June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Impressive renewable-energy advances were graphically displayed by coal major Exxaro during its Capital Day on Monday, June 22. The first was a wind turbine involving 600 m3 of concrete in a 25 m... 


Mike Teke
Africa cannot afford fragmented voices any longer, Mike Teke points out
19th June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Africa cannot afford fragmented voices any longer, South Africa’s mining and energy leading light Mike Teke pointed out in an address at the Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines, where he highlighted the need... 


A mineral sands operation in Mozambique
Mozambique's new mine ownership rules could deter foreign investment, industry body says
19th June 2026 By: Reuters

Mozambique's new law requiring the State to have a 15% stake in all mining ventures could deter foreign investment, an industry executive said on Thursday. The southern African country is among the... 


Mongolian coal mine
Coal-rich Mongolia aims to boost China trade ties despite dependence risk
19th June 2026 By: Reuters

Mongolia hopes to boost trade by more than a tenth this year with China, the biggest destination for its exports of coal and minerals, setting a target that will further boost economic dependence... 


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pqt: 0.138s - ct: 0.197s - 288pq - 2rq
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