Coal news and updates

SA still considering price, export controls on coal

The South African government has not ruled out imposing price or export controls on coal, should it be classified a strategic resource.

Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu on Tuesday reiterated comments made at a conference earlier this year in Cape Town that the government was considering coal as a strategic mineral, as the country battled an ongoing energy crisis.

“We can’t be a government that is a lame duck - realising that as a country our own space is threatened and not be able to clearly define that space,” she said on the sidelines of the Africa Downunder conference, in Perth.

“One of the biggest problems coming out of winter was load shedding, and how we managed that. We are a country endowed with coal. How can our economy be threatened by load shedding? That is unfair, and as a government we have the responsibility to balance the exports and domestic needs.”

Shabangu said that while price control or export controls could not be ruled out at this stage, the government was not near announcing a decision yet.

“As a country, we have now started to define our coal space and will look at moderating that space, what the local needs are and measure those against international exports.”

She said that the government would also look at defining the type of coal and reserves needed to sustain the country’s energy demand, while considering the issue of global warming.

She added that any decisions on either price or export controls would be properly informed, and would take into account all the relevant issues.

Source: www.miningweekly.com