South Africa produces well over  255 million tonnes of coal annually and uses approximately three quarters of that locally. Roughly 77% of South Africa’s energy requirements are derived from coal and 92% of coal consumed on the African continent is produced here in South Africa.

The use of coal in South Africa dates back to the iron-age (300-1880 AD), when charcoal was used to melt iron and copper.  Coal is South Africa’s third largest source of foreign exchange; platinum being the largest and gold second.