Coal mining in south africa plays a significant role in the countrys economy. Coal mining also has a history of cheap labour, and confrontation with organized. Coal mines in south africa intelligence and info africa. A history of mining in south africa kindle edition by davenport, jade. Yellow pages of africa business directory in africa coal mining, south africa. Two major changes have taken place this century in the south african coal industry. Jade davenport studied at the university of cape town and has an ma cum laude in historical studies.
Searchable database of coal mines in south africa from aditnow, the leading online resource for mine explorers and mining historians. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Coal mining, extraction of coal deposits from the surface of earth and from underground. Coal is a fossil fuel which is the largest source of energy for the generation of electricity globally, as well as one of the largest worldwide anthropogenic sources of carbon dioxide emissions. Limpopo province with 11%, free state province with 6%, and kwazulunatal province with 2% provide the rest. Mineral and coal resources of south africa youtube.
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. As the world is getting more and more serious about tackling climate change and lowering carbon emissions, the coal mining sector is becoming increasingly challenged, and in south africa that is not the only threat to the industry. The history of coal mining in south africa is closely linked with the economic development of the country. This book is an integrated approach towards the applications of coal organic petrology and discusses the role of this science in the field of coal and coalrelated topics. Aditnow the definitive online resource for the mine explorer and mining historian mine explorer and mining history videos on youtube. List of coal mines in south africa mine exploration. Optimum coal mine has a vital role of supplying coal to eskom and has valuable source to provide electricity to a big part of south africa. Calls to decrease the worlds dependence on coal as an energy source are well intentioned.
South africa is a world leader in the gold mining industry. Your search 17 you are the owner of one of the companies and want to make changes. 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. Kingswood coal history and location of coal mining sites in bristol and south gloucestershire. The silver city that changed the world california world history library book 27 kris lane. 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. Currently, the industry is mostly run by white executives overseeing a huge, lowskilled and cheap black workforce but industry and government are trying to change that by increasing black ownership. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Here is an alphabetical list of books about mining, prospecting, mines, miners, mining history, economic minerals, mining engineering, and some geological, geotechnical, and petroleum engineering, compiled by a science librarian, that are currently available. From the casual reader whose grandfather was a collier to the expert researching the coal mining industry this book is essential. Commercial mining in south africa dates back to the early 1850s, when the first copper mine was established on springbokfontein farm in springbok in the northern cape.
Until 2010 we were the leading producer of gold in the world. It is therefore important for data on our industry to be freely. A history of mining in south africa, jade davenport, to note that, as this concluding section is written in august 20, the once mighty and economydominating force is now but a shadow of its former self. The discovery of diamonds in the late 1870s led to expansion of the mines in order to meet the growing demand for coal. World bank, south african reserve bank, statistics south africa, minerals council south africa. Mining in south africa continues to transform the country to this day. South africa is one of the seven largest coal producing and one of the top five coal exporting countries in the world more than a quarter of coal mined in south africa is exported, most of which leaves the country via richards bay. 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. Particulate matters and emissions have decreased by 90% over the last 35 years within the south african coal mining industry. More than a quarter of the coal mined in south africa is exported and it is the countrys third largest source of foreign income. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Here we take a look at the history of mining in south africa and how its birth changed the course of the country. The anatomy of a coal mine daw mill colliery 1957 20 the complete history of the last coal mine in warwickshire. The coal industry in south africa provides over 6% of the total merchandise exports produced for.
In one rural town with a history of racism, small efforts at reconciliation are underway but will they be enough. Coal originates from the massive buildup of dead landbased plant life, primarily trees. Finally, a complete and authoritative reference on u. In 1980, mining provided 11% of employment opportunities in south africa. Brief history of coal mining in south africa 19 section c5 20 why coal mining matters 21 factors that favour and hinder coal mining in south africa 22 safety and health 23 environment 26 coal mining technology 28 quotes about coal 29 fun facts about coal 29 section c6 30 terms and defi nitions 31 note. The increasing demand from eskom, one of the largest stateowned companies and the main electricity supplier in south. Coal mining also has a history of cheap labour, and confrontation with. Brief history of coal mining in south africa mining for. South africas coal mining occurs mainly within the mpumalanga province, which produces some 81% of the countrys total output.
Coal mining in south africa is centred on the highveld, with roughly 60% of the countrys deposits located in emalahleni witbank and surrounding areas. An in depth look back at south africas mining history. The source watch ranks this african giant at number five, just behind china, the usa, india, and australia. Brief history of coal mining in south africa mining for schools. Is the coal mining industry of south africa under threat. From this side of the atlantic, it seems that the most comprehensive history of coal mining in the u.
Created using powtoon free sign up at youtube create animated videos and animated presentations for free. Coal mines in south africa play an important role in the countrys economy, with 77% of all primary energy needs being provided for by coal. 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. Buy our book register your company become advertiser. South africa also exports nearly one quarter of all coal, while coal mines in south africa, and their direct supporting industries, employ roughly 55 000 people. The current market structure of south africas coal industry, with its five dominant production companies, has its historical antecedents in the development of mining. Here is the video showing what this coal mine is all. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. What are some books to read about the history of coal mining. Coal age handbook of coal surface mining 1978 isbn 0070114587 hamilton, michael s. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading digging deep. A history of mining in south africa kindle edition by jade. Mining in south africa mining of mineral resources.
Having documented the extraordinary rise of south africas mining industry over the last century and a half, it is a disappointing task for author of the book digging deep. 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. We have been doing gold mining for more than a century and our mines are the deepest in the world. Coal has been an important commodity in south africa for many years and it is one of the oldest mining enterprises in the country. It was the basic energy source that fueled the industrial revolution of the 18th and 19th. Commercial coal mining commenced in the eastern cape near molteno in 1864. South african mining, coal, gold and base minerals snippet view 2001. The heavy toll of coal mining in south africa africa. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or. Mining plays a significant role in the economy of our nation.
Its role since 1923 as a primary source of energy has steered the. The largest coal deposits in south africa are to be found in the ecca deposits, a stratum of the karoo supergroup, dating from the permian period, between 280 and 250 ma. 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. However, according to south african history online, these were minor reefs and credit for the discovery of the main reef on langlaagte farm went to australian george harrison in july 1886. For practical purposes stone, marble and other quarries may be included in this list. Over 90% of the coal consumed in africa is produced in south africa. With this long list of mining companies in south africa, it is a clear indication that coal is one of the most precious minerals in south africa due to the enormous contribution it makes to power generation and revenue from exports. Johannesburgs large gold deposits that ran for miles underground ensured the little mining town mushroomed into a leviathan. The ecca group is extensive, covering around two thirds of south africa much of it covered by slightly younger rocks.
As in 2004 the coal and lignite industry of south africa provided over 50,000 jobs and generated nearly r40. The first commercial mining took place near molteno, in the eastern cape, in 18701. Its predominant use has always been for producing heat energy. Lower use would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and less demand would lower the environmental risk of coal mining. However, as the world moves away from coal, south africa will need to consider the implications. The first and most important of these being the implementation of the new mineral and petroleum resources development act, 28 of 2002 mprda. An illustrated history of the mines and miners of ayrshire and upper nithsdale. Such scussion will also reveal how much more remains to be done n order to understand the structure, strengths and weakness68 of capital in south africa today. Gold is a lustrous, precious metal which has a very high conductivity.
We are a mining industry employers organisation which exists to serve our members and promote their interests in south africa. Coal is south africa s third largest source of foreign exchange. The history of coal mining in south africa afri coal. South africa is one of the top five coal exporting countries in the world. This book explains the wonderful legacy of the south african mining industry, a history that can provide many lessons for the future. Mr davies is the man with the knowledge as far as lanacashire coal mining is concerned, and in this book he has assembled a concise history of the area along with a wonderful collection of photos. Coal used in south africa during iron age when charcoal was used to melt iron and copper. Books and some articles relating to coal mining, especially historical. A hundred years of coal mining in the mpumalanga highveld, south africas most. The discovery of diamonds at kimberley in 1870 and gold on the witwatersrand.