The impacts of closures will be highly concentrated; the majority of Eskom’s coal plants — and the mines that supply them — are located within a 100km radius, to the east of Johannesburg in the Mpumalanga province. [...] After describing the evolving role of coal in South Africa — and the likely impacts of a coal phase-out — we outline the key elements of a coal transition, including available policy mechanisms and the role of subnational governments. [...] Problems include the misalignment of planning frameworks of different state agencies, the lack of formalized relationships between the Department of Mineral Resources and other ministries, and a lack of effective enforcement. [...] The impacts are wide and varied, and the fears about the risks facing workers and the local economy may create barriers to South Africa’s energy transition. [...] The spontaneous combustion of coal and its by- Presentation at The End of Coal? The Risks and Opportunities products in the Witbank and Sasolburg coalfields of South Africa.
- Pages
- 16
- Published in
- South Africa
