Africa urged to fully exploit coal reserves

said Minergy Chief Executive Officer, Morne du Plessis. He said coal and renewables are not enemies, citing that the use of coal has to be managed in a responsible manner by all parties, working towards a sustainable mix of coal and renewables.

“To opt only for renewables is irresponsible and has significant economic implications, especially for developing continents such as Africa and Asia.” On the other hand, Morupule Coal Mine has kicked off coal exports from Motheo Project into the region and the international market, following completion of the company’s coal washing plant and commissioning.

Despite Malema’s call for the continent to fully utilise call, the CEO highlighted that African mining industry is still facing many challenges, including low mining activity, heavy dependence on revenues and earnings from mining, environmental degradation, demand by communities for mining companies to play a more significant role in contributing to their well- being and of course the lack of diversity in the mining industry and in particular gender diversity.

“The reality is that some of the key issues that have acted as stumbling blocks,” said Malema.

Meanwhile, government has picked India’s Jindal Steel & Power as the preferred bidder in a tender to build a 300MW coal- fired power plant. According to mining and energy authorities, the company will design, finance, construct, operate, maintain and decommission at the end of economic life a 300MW net greenfield coal- fired power plant, as an independent power producer.

Jindal will finance construction of the plant and recoup its investments from selling electricity to the Botswana Power Corporation ( BPC) under terms to be negotiated between the two parties.