Coal mining and the environment

Abstract

The environmental impacts of coal mining in South Africa are reviewed. The primary impacts arise from mining, particularly underground mining, largely because South African coal mines are relatively shallow. Coal washing gives rises to large waste dumps, which may ignite spontaneously and cause air pollution. Water pollution arises from some abandoned mines and waste dumps. However, the biggest impact arises from the combustion of coal domestically. Inefficient appliances give rise to copious smoke, and dense smog over towns in winter. The tonnage consumed this way amounts to only 0.3% of the tonnage mined, but the air pollution it causes comprises as much as 30% of the total particulate load in the South African air. The legislative controls over coal mining and pollution are outlined. It is concluded that while the coal mining applies good environmental standards to its operations, it may need to pay more attention to the mine-to-ash aspects of coal use.