As South Africa begins its journey towards a lower-carbon future, the mining industry will have much to consider. It can make a significant local contribution by generating its own renewable energy, but faces considerable uncertainty in applying low-emission technologies.
As South Africa begins its journey towards a lower-carbon future, the mining industry will have much to consider. It can make a significant local contribution by generating its own renewable energy, but faces considerable uncertainty in applying low-emission technologies.
“Mining companies are well aware of the expectations of customers and regulators regarding their carbon footprint,” said SRK Consulting director and principal consultant Andrew van Zyl. “It should be realised, however, that mining is built on a complex supply chain of expertise, equipment and products that will take time to adapt to these new demands.”
The country has a long way to go in its journey to roll back its carbon-intensive power generating foundation, according to the recently published ‘Decarbonisation Roadmap for South Africa’1 from RES4Africa Foundation and AFRY. As Africa’s largest electricity market, South Africa’s emission intensity is also more than double the G20 average.
The report highlighted that the country’s first National Determined Contribution (NDC) proposed to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2015 was found to fall short of requirements. It was updated recently to include a lower target range of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
“Despite the country’s commitment to follow global energy transition pathways, neither South Africa’s updated NDC nor its IEA stated policies (SP) scenario ... will lead to the necessary GHG emissions for staying within the 2030 1.5 ⁰C Paris Agreement target,” stated the report2 . It also noted that 50% of South Africa’s emissions come from power generation, being dominated by coal-fired plants.
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