Platinum and related metals are in a growth phase, with south africa boasting around half or more of world production and reserves. Geology and the distribution of gold mines southern africa has an abundance of gold deposits, most of which were formed during the archaean period of the precambrian between 3 500 and 2 500 million years ago. List of coal mines in south africa mine exploration. Apr, 2000 the south african mining industry has been in continuous decline for 2 decades. Search the history of over 431 billion web pages on the internet. It kickstarted what historians call the mineral revolution, which made few european opportunists wealthy beyond measure. Our name is derived from a sesotho word meaning integrity. Mining is south africas third largest business sector after agriculture and manufacturing contributing almost 10% to the countrys gdp. Searchable database of coal mines in south africa from aditnow, the leading online resource for mine explorers and mining historians.
Although gold, diamonds, platinum and coal are the most wellknown among the minerals and metals mined, south africa also hosts chrome, vanadium, titanium and a number of other lesser minerals. It became important in the industrial revolution of the 19th and 20th centuries, when it was primarily used to power steam engines, heat buildings and generate electricity. The history of coal mining goes back thousands of years. Whats more, we are included in the ftsejse responsible investment top 30 index. The first commercial mining took place near molteno, in the eastern cape, in 18701. From this side of the atlantic, it seems that the most comprehensive history of coal mining in the u. Browse the worlds largest ebookstore and start reading today on the web, tablet, phone, or ereader. This article outlines the history of electricity supply in south africa.
South africa s coal powered energy sector brings environmental devastation despite legal regulations. Diamond mines and mining south africa the diamond fields of southern africa johannesburg. Study of sand mining and related environmental problems along. The domestic market is dominated by coal for power generation by the state power generation company eskom and petrochemical industry sasol. I understand that south africa has a troubled history with mining ever since the introduction of the hut tax in the early 1900s.
Books, articles, and other material relating to coal. The coal mining in south africa to 2020 report comprehensively covers the countrys historical and forecast data on coal production by grade, reserves, consumption by type and trade by type to. South african mining, coal, gold and base minerals snippet view 2001. A very well researched books which lays bare the history of mining in south africa which now spans over 160 years. The coal industry employed 92,230 people in 2019 86,647 in 2018, representing about 19% of total employment in the mining sector. Sep 26, 2009 south africa has the largest known gold reserves in the world. Mining in south africa makes a meaningful contribution to the south african economy. Coal mining has long been part of this region, with the name emalahleni translating to place of coal. Feb 21, 2011 this is the trailer for a soontobereleased film called mining for change. So, apart from the ones discussed earlier, the following are some other south african mines list that you may want to consider at any time. Coal mining also has a history of cheap labour, and confrontation with organized. As said earlier, there are lots of mining companies which are based in the country. South africa is one of the ten largest coal producers and the fourth largest coal exporting country in the world. South africa is the worlds largest primary producer of platinum with a share of 75% of the global supply.
We are among the top five coal producers in south africa, and a constituent of the jses top 40 index. In 2009 south africa was the fourth largest diamond industry in the world. Sasol mining operates six coal mines that supply feedstock for our secunda sasol synfuels and sasolburg sasolburg operations complexes in south africa. Coal mines in south africa intelligence and info africa. The imf estimates that a one percentage point decline on chinas real gdp growth would lower south africas growth by 0. Commercial coal mining began 12 years later, with the construction of a mine in eastern cape that would also see a settlement constructed. Its role since 1923 as a primary source of energy has steered the. Coal mining in south africa is centred on the highveld, with roughly 60% of the countrys deposits located in emalahleni witbank and surrounding areas. Mbuyelo coal has a rich footprint in the mpumalanga province of lush south africa.
Apr 14, 2014 back in the mid1970s when this writer first came to south africa to work, one of the things that seemed mandatory to do was to visit some of the countrys famous or infamous diamond and. Eavenson, coal through the ages new york, 1935 howard n. A daily jeffersonian article dated for february 20th, 1991 gives us insight into the early mines as a part of a piece for black history month, it reads as follows. Estimated to be around 40000 tons, this country cradles 4050 % of the global gold reserves. Coal mining in south africa the sixth biggest coal exporter, producing around 260 tonnes per annum, the coal mining industry in south africa has reserves for over 200 years. Commercial coal mining in kwazulunatal and on the witwatersrand commences, following the discovery of gold on the witwatersrand in 1886 1927 the government creates the iron and steel corporation iscor, which becomes the dominant steel producer in the country. While many of the entities that are included also have international exposure, the bulk of their operations are in africa. Coal mining on the highveld and its implications for future. The discovery of diamonds in the late 1870s led to expansion of the mines in order to meet the growing demand for coal. Economic activity in modernday south africa has been centred on mining activities, their ancillary services and supplies. Stay on top of the most popular stories on australian mining over the past week, including a security concern that has slowed operations for rio tinto in south africa. Seriti is a south african resources group with an ambition to empower and create growth for all our stakeholders. Having developed a reputation as specialist in thin seam open cast and underground coal mining, sacmh produces and processes coal products for international markets. Geo is a set of free interactive databases and tools built collaboratively by people like you.
She has been a member of the international study group of the united nations economic commission for africa on the revision of mining codes in africa addis abbaba 20072009 and the advisory group to the canadian government on corporate social responsibility in the extractive sector in developing countries 2007. This list of mines in south a frica is subsidiary to the list of mines article and lists working, defunct and future mines in the country and is organised by the primary mineral output. While the coal we supply to sasol synfuels is mainly used as gasification feedstock, some is used to generate electricity. Brief history of coal mining in south africa mining for. Mining grew with discovery of diamonds and increased with the discovery of gold. Not only has the country given birth to some great mines, and mining houses, these developments have resulted in very strong and innovative engineering and consultancy companies. This page provides south africa mining production actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. This list of mines in south africa is subsidiary to the list of mines article and lists working, defunct and future mines in the country and is organised by the primary mineral output. What are some books to read about the history of coal mining. Introduction association of mine managers south africa ammsa. M m ining in south africa has been a contentious issue since 15yearold erasmus stephanus jacobs discovered south africa s first diamond, the eureka, in hopetown in 1867.
Books mcalister coleman, men and coal new york, 1943 howard n. However, the first great crisis of that year the coalbrook mine disaster has been largely forgotten. Commercial coal mining commenced in the eastern cape near molteno in 1864. South africa produces in excess of 255 million most from witbank tonnes of coal 2011 estimate and consumes almost three quarters of that domestically. As the coal seams here are buried too deep beneath the ground for opencast mining, they are deep mined using a room and pillar technique. Energy, environment, and equity in south africa environmental. The mining and petroleum resources development act of 2006 assisted the growth of the junior mining sector in south africa. The heavy toll of coal mining in south africa africa al.
Black settlers are focus the guernsey county historical society will a slide presentation depicting black settlers of guernsey county between 1860 and 1920 at 2 p. The first mine to be constructed in what is now south africa began operations in 1852, a copper project that would go on to form the cornerstone of the town of springbokfontein, today springbok, in the northern cape province. The coal mining massacre america forgot the mountains of southern west virginia are riddled with coal and bullets child coal miners with mules in gary, west virginia in 1908. Nevertheless south africa has a mining history of an epic nature. According to eskom, coal mines in south africa produce 224 million tonnes per year.
Internationally, coal is the most widely used primary fuel, accounting for about 36 percent of the total fuel consumption of the worlds electricity production. According to death in south african mines, an undated study published in the early 1960s by hj simons, professor of native law and administration at the university of cape town uct, 36 000 men had been killed in accidents on south africa s gold mines since the beginning of the century. The author has researched extensively on the south african coal supply chain constraints in order to assist in streamlining the lucrative industry. South africa s coal resources are contained in the ecca deposits, a stratum of the karoo supergroup. By remaining on this website and using the coal authoritys interactive viewer and web services, you hereby acknowledge and agree to. Please read the following information regarding their use and the licensing of the information provided herein. South africa is the worlds seventh largest coal producer after china, usa, india, australia, indonesia and russia. South africa mining production 19812020 data 20212022.
I just want to steer this away from identity politics for a second, because somebody will try it. South africa also exports nearly one quarter of all coal, while coal mines in south a frica, and their direct supporting industries, employ roughly 55 000 people. Historically, the mining industry in south africa has undertaken its own research. Case study on extractive industries prepared for the lancet. More than ever before the south african industry is deeply conscious of its role in society, its obligations to its host communities and their.
South africa s indigenous energy resource base is dominated by coal. The coal authority is pleased to provide access to this interactive viewer and related web services. The countrys stock exchange in johannesburg was established in 1887, a decade after the first diamonds were discovered on the banks of the orange river, and almost simultaneously with the gold rush on the worldfamous witwatersrand. Coal mining in south africa plays a significant role in the countrys economy. Mining in south africa was once the main driving force behind the history and development of. In coal mining areas, in addition to air pollution, there are poisonous old. It is like talking about africa or addressing the international community in the fashion of humanitarians, as if it is all one big thing. The vryheid formation forms the midpart of the ecca group, which, in turn, is part of the karoo supergroup. Seriti is a south african resources group with an ambition. Aug 24, 2015 africa south africa has approximately 242 billion gross tons in situ coal resources and reserves of which approximately 66 billion tons of coal resources and reserves are deemed to be recoverable. A history of mining in south africa kindle edition by jade. Coal has been an important commodity in south africa for many years and it is one of the oldest mining enterprises in the country. A perspective on the south african mining industry in the. South african mining, coal, gold and base minerals.
Books and some articles relating to coal mining, especially historical. List of books and articles about mining history online research. Well organised charpters on year after year discoveries and development, and it brings us to understand the immense contribution of south africas mining industry to its general indistrialization. M ining in south africa has been a contentious issue since 15yearold erasmus stephanus jacobs discovered south africa s first diamond, the eureka, in hopetown in 1867. South africa is the worlds third largest coal exporter, and much of the countrys coal is. South african coal mining holdings limited sacmh is a junior coal producer with operations in the ermelo breyten district of the mpumalanga province of south africa. The heavy toll of coal mining in south africa africa. The south african mining industry continued to face a myriad of challenges as a result of subdued commodity prices and a growing.
There are 19 coalfields in the country and they are largely located in the northeastern quarter of the country, i. Over 90% of the coal consumed in africa is produced in south africa. Mining has impacted the country of south africa making it number 2 in foreign exchange earner in the world. Discover librarianselected research resources on mining history from the questia. However, none of the conditions mentioned are unique to south africa or other african countries. Environmental impacts associated with an abandoned mine in. For practical purposes stone, marble and other quarries may be included in this list.
Aditnow the definitive online resource for the mine explorer and mining historian mine explorer and mining history videos on youtube connect with other mine explorers on facebook. The history of coal mining in south africa is closely linked with the economic development of the country. Chamber of mines of south africa, 1977 mine valuation 472 pages. The discovery of diamonds at kimberley in 1870 and gold on the witwatersrand. The independence mine and mill is located on the south slope of battle. Gold mining has become one the main factors to the growth of south africa. The south africa energy coal saec operations are located near the towns of emalahleni previously known as witbank and middelburg, in the coalfields of mpumalanga. Precious and base metal mining industry in colorado. The history of coal mining in south africa afri coal.
Diamond mining had such a massive impact on the entire southern african region that, as economic historian william worger described it, within a year of the opening of the mines, every black. Major coalfields are found in the highveld and lowveld regions of south africa, with witbank and ermelo in the mpumalanga province being the major mining hubs. Reviews of books related to australasian mining history and viagra sale prices heritage are added by members. The diamond export levy act of 2007 and the mineral and petroleum resources royalty administration act of 2008 were amended by the south african government in the year 2009. List of the biggest mining companies in south africa.
In south africa, the coal industry is second only to the gold industry. Eugene cairncross, sophia kisting, mariette liefferink, david van wyk february 20 we must remember the history of mining in south africa, of cheap black labour, racism and exploitation. Its effects however, are more visible locally amongst mining communities and in the rural areas of the country. Searchable database of coal mines in south a frica from aditnow, the leading online resource for mine explorers and mining historians. Wagner page images at hathitrust diamond mines of south africa 2 volumes. It is a followon from the state of mining in south africa. The coal has a low to moderate heat value and high ash content, but mining the coal is cheap when compared with the international industry. Coal mines in south a frica play an important role in the countrys economy, with 77% of all primary energy needs being provided for by coal. Located in the province of limpopo, grootegeluk is one of the biggest mines in. Opportunity lost or light at the end of the tunnel report released in february 20.
If we look at marikana as a microcosm of south africa and really of mining in. Philosophically it is also the word for the shadow or aura that people cast as they go through life a shadow that grows when you do good and is diminished when you do bad. The coal seams in the witbank coalfield were formed in an epicontinental environment and occur within the vryheid formation. Around 77% of south africa s energy needs are directly derived from coal and 92% of coal consumed on the african continent is produced in south africa. Around 77% of south africa s energy needs are directly derived from coal and 92% of coal consumed on the african continent is produced in south africa the use of coal in south africa dates back to the iron age 3001880 ad, when charcoal. It kickstarted what historians call the mineral revolution, which made few european opportunists wealthy beyond measure, and saw hundreds of thousands of men leaving their homes to become fulltime mineworkers. It is born from the company mbuyelo group pty ltd which has its main business in the coal mining industry and is similarly growing its portfolio in other businesses such as the properties, farming and contracting industries.