Coal-mining's impact on Waterberg under the microscope

Abstract

Project watch A t present, the Highveld and Witbank coalfields are the source of more than 80% of South Africa’s total coal output. However, as these coalfields are nearing depletion all eyes are turning to the Waterberg treasure chest and its significant virgin coal reserves in the north of South Africa. It has been suggested that the coalfield has up to 50 billion tons of coal waiting to be unearthed. Fuelling development in the area is Eskom announcement that it is looking to construct several new power stations in the area in years to come. The first, Eskom’s R80-million Medupi dry-cooled Coal-mining’s impact on Waterberg under the microscope coal-fired generating plant, is already under construction outside Lephalale. To feed this new electricity-generating giant the power generation company and mining giant Exxaro Resources, owner of Grootegeluk mine (the only colliery operating on the Waterberg Coalfield at present), signed a coalsupply agreement last year.

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