Brief history of coal mining in south africa mining for. As said earlier, there are lots of mining companies which are based in the country. 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. It is a followon from the state of mining in south africa. List of coal mines in south africa mine exploration. A history of mining in south africa kindle edition by jade. The imf estimates that a one percentage point decline on chinas real gdp growth would lower south africas growth by 0.
Opportunity lost or light at the end of the tunnel report released in february 20. 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. It kickstarted what historians call the mineral revolution, which made few european opportunists wealthy beyond measure. Environmental impacts associated with an abandoned mine in. Over 90% of the coal consumed in africa is produced in south africa. Reviews of books related to australasian mining history and viagra sale prices heritage are added by members. For practical purposes stone, marble and other quarries may be included in this list. 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.
South africa produces in excess of 255 million most from witbank tonnes of coal 2011 estimate and consumes almost three quarters of that domestically. Seriti is a south african resources group with an ambition to empower and create growth for all our stakeholders. From this side of the atlantic, it seems that the most comprehensive history of coal mining in the u. However, the first great crisis of that year the coalbrook mine disaster has been largely forgotten. The history of coal mining goes back thousands of years. Chamber of mines of south africa, 1977 mine valuation 472 pages.
South africa is the worlds third largest coal exporter, and much of the countrys coal is. List of the biggest mining companies in south africa. Sep 26, 2009 south africa has the largest known gold reserves in the world. Eavenson, coal through the ages new york, 1935 howard n. Study of sand mining and related environmental problems along. Mining has impacted the country of south africa making it number 2 in foreign exchange earner in the world. Platinum and related metals are in a growth phase, with south africa boasting around half or more of world production and reserves. The first commercial mining took place near molteno, in the eastern cape, in 18701.
The heavy toll of coal mining in south africa africa al. The soundtrack was composed by selaelo selota and recorded at the cooler. Wagner page images at hathitrust diamond mines of south africa 2 volumes. Internationally, coal is the most widely used primary fuel, accounting for about 36 percent of the total fuel consumption of the worlds electricity production.
South african mining, coal, gold and base minerals. Please read the following information regarding their use and the licensing of the information provided herein. The history of coal mining in south africa afri coal. Whats more, we are included in the ftsejse responsible investment top 30 index. The vryheid formation forms the midpart of the ecca group, which, in turn, is part of the karoo supergroup. 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. It is like talking about africa or addressing the international community in the fashion of humanitarians, as if it is all one big thing. 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. Mining grew with discovery of diamonds and increased with the discovery of gold. 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 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. 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. Searchable database of coal mines in south africa from aditnow, the leading online resource for mine explorers and mining historians. 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.
Discover librarianselected research resources on mining history from the questia. Gold mining has become one the main factors to the growth of south africa. South africa is the worlds seventh largest coal producer after china, usa, india, australia, indonesia and russia. Mbuyelo coal has a rich footprint in the mpumalanga province of lush south africa. 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. Historically, the mining industry in south africa has undertaken its own research. Eavenson, the first century and a quarter of american coal industry pittsburgh, 1942 a. More than this, south africa is one of the worlds top coal exporters, and also one of the top producers. 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. Coal mining in south africa plays a significant role in the countrys economy. Sasol mining operates six coal mines that supply feedstock for our secunda sasol synfuels and sasolburg sasolburg operations complexes in south africa. 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 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. Energy, environment, and equity in south africa environmental. This page provides south africa mining production actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Feb 21, 2011 this is the trailer for a soontobereleased film called mining for change. The south african mining industry continued to face a myriad of challenges as a result of subdued commodity prices and a growing. Case study on extractive industries prepared for the lancet.
Introduction association of mine managers south africa ammsa. 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. Mining historian, columnist, journalist and author jade davenport will coincide the launch of her book digging deep a history of mining in south africa, with the 2014 investing in african. Apr, 2000 the south african mining industry has been in continuous decline for 2 decades. Coal mining on the highveld and its implications for future. 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 mines in south africa intelligence and info africa. I understand that south africa has a troubled history with mining ever since the introduction of the hut tax in the early 1900s.
Coal mining has long been part of this region, with the name emalahleni translating to place of coal. 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. The independence mine and mill is located on the south slope of battle. The coal authority is pleased to provide access to this interactive viewer and related web services.
Economic activity in modernday south africa has been centred on mining activities, their ancillary services and supplies. We have taken a snapshot view of several mining regions across africa and share some of what is happening with regard to policy, infrastructure and funding. Its role since 1923 as a primary source of energy has steered the. The domestic market is dominated by coal for power generation by the state power generation company eskom and petrochemical industry sasol. Coal mining in south africa is centred on the highveld, with roughly 60% of the countrys deposits located in emalahleni witbank and surrounding areas. 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. Estimated to be around 40000 tons, this country cradles 4050 % of the global gold reserves. South africa s coal powered energy sector brings environmental devastation despite legal regulations. The coal industry employed 92,230 people in 2019 86,647 in 2018, representing about 19% of total employment in the mining sector. 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. Searchable database of coal mines in south a frica from aditnow, the leading online resource for mine explorers and mining historians. In south africa, the coal industry is second only to the gold industry. The heavy toll of coal mining in south africa africa. 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.
The author has researched extensively on the south african coal supply chain constraints in order to assist in streamlining the lucrative industry. Commercial coal mining began 12 years later, with the construction of a mine in eastern cape that would also see a settlement constructed. Located in the province of limpopo, grootegeluk is one of the biggest mines in. A very well researched books which lays bare the history of mining in south africa which now spans over 160 years. This article outlines the history of electricity supply in south africa. Its effects however, are more visible locally amongst mining communities and in the rural areas of the country. Seriti is a south african resources group with an ambition.
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. In coal mining areas, in addition to air pollution, there are poisonous old. Mining in south africa makes a meaningful contribution to the south african economy. Exxaro has established itself as one of south africa s largest blackempowered resource companies. Precious and base metal mining industry in colorado.
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. Of the coal that is produced, most is used locally to produce electricity and the rest is used in industry and domestically. The mining and petroleum resources development act of 2006 assisted the growth of the junior mining sector in south africa. The discovery of diamonds in the late 1870s led to expansion of the mines in order to meet the growing demand for coal. Mining is south africas third largest business sector after agriculture and manufacturing contributing almost 10% to the countrys gdp. South africa mining production 19812020 data 20212022. However, none of the conditions mentioned are unique to south africa or other african countries. 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. Search the history of over 431 billion web pages on the internet. The discovery of diamonds at kimberley in 1870 and gold on the witwatersrand. Having developed a reputation as specialist in thin seam open cast and underground coal mining, sacmh produces and processes coal products for international markets. Mining in south africa was once the main driving force behind the history and development of. By remaining on this website and using the coal authoritys interactive viewer and web services, you hereby acknowledge and agree to.
I just want to steer this away from identity politics for a second, because somebody will try it. 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 has a low to moderate heat value and high ash content, but mining the coal is cheap when compared with the international industry. Books mcalister coleman, men and coal new york, 1943 howard n. While the coal we supply to sasol synfuels is mainly used as gasification feedstock, some is used to generate electricity. The coal seams in the witbank coalfield were formed in an epicontinental environment and occur within the vryheid formation. South africa is the worlds largest primary producer of platinum with a share of 75% of the global supply. Browse the worlds largest ebookstore and start reading today on the web, tablet, phone, or ereader. Our name is derived from a sesotho word meaning integrity. 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. A perspective on the south african mining industry in the. Geo is a set of free interactive databases and tools built collaboratively by people like you.
South african mining, coal, gold and base minerals snippet view 2001. 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. 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. 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. South africa s indigenous energy resource base is dominated by coal. Commercial coal mining commenced in the eastern cape near molteno in 1864. What are some books to read about the history of coal mining. 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. Books, articles, and other material relating to coal. List of books and articles about mining history online research. 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.
Books and some articles relating to coal mining, especially historical. 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. 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. 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. 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. Aditnow the definitive online resource for the mine explorer and mining historian mine explorer and mining history videos on youtube. If we look at marikana as a microcosm of south africa and really of mining in. 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. Coal mining also has a history of cheap labour, and confrontation with organized. The history of coal mining in south africa is closely linked with the economic development of the country. 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. 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. We are among the top five coal producers in south africa, and a constituent of the jses top 40 index. 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.
There are 19 coalfields in the country and they are largely located in the northeastern quarter of the country, i. In 2009 south africa was the fourth largest diamond industry in the world. According to eskom, coal mines in south africa produce 224 million tonnes per year. Nevertheless south africa has a mining history of an epic nature. 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. South africa is one of the ten largest coal producers and the fourth largest coal exporting country in the world. 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. Diamond mines and mining south africa the diamond fields of southern africa johannesburg. South africa s coal resources are contained in the ecca deposits, a stratum of the karoo supergroup. 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.
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