In South Africa’s official Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy, thermal coal is classified as a highly critical mineral due to its importance to energy supply, the economy, and export markets. India has designated metallurgical coal (used in steelmaking) as a critical and strategic mineral that can boost domestic production and reduce reliance on imports.
In the US, metallurgical coal used for steel production was added to the 2025 List of Critical Minerals published by the Department of the Interior/Us Geological Survey.
An argument can be made, though, that coal is vital to Africa’s development as a continent because it can be used to generate energy for mining and industrialisation in a part of the world that holds many critical mineral deposits.
Does this argument not make coal critical to the energy transition?
Speaking on a panel discussion asking Why is coal not considered a critical mineral?, Seriti Resources CEO Mike Teke said a recent trip to China underscored the relevance of coal, as the country’s energy mix remains ~60% coal-dominated. “They are unapologetic,” said Teke about the country’s coal usage.
The Far Eastern country has built its dominance in renewables manufacturing on the back of a coal-powered baseload, and Teke reminded that South Africa’s baseload power is also still coal-dominated. Thus, he sees coal as critical to South Africa, even as the country transitions to renewable energy.
“The reality of the matter is, they still carry our economy. If we added one nuclear power station and one more coal-fired power station, then we’d have a strong baseload [for industrialisation].
“So, it’s coal AND renewables, and coal will remain part of the transition for a long time,” said Teke.
FutureCoal Director: Strategy & Sustainability Paul Baruya explained that labelling a mineral as critical is defined on a country-by-country basis, and “what is clear is the US… has completely torn up the rulebook, they’ve seen the value of coal-fired power station,” said Baruya.
He pointed out that coal-fired power stations provided around 40% of the electricity needed in the North West region of the US during recent winter storms at the beginning of 2026.
Baruya indicated that grid experts who monitor minute-by-minute electricity demand and supply will constantly talk about getting the timing right in order to maintain grid frequency. “If you don’t time your solar and wind… you know this better than any other country on the planet, you know what happens. In the rest of the world, they don’t understand.”
“If you have 50Hz on the grid, you just need half a herz deviation, and you will have grid collapse, so it is important that coal is there [to make up] for the flexibility [of renewables],” said Baruya.
He recently heard UK grid experts talk about bringing back coal-fired power, something he never thought he would hear anyone say. “But, they’re saying it shouldn’t be ruled out,” Baruya recounted.
Siphelele Buthelezi, Executive Manager of the Council of Geoscience, said geological mapping has reduced uncertainty around coal reserves in key coal-bearing provinces in South Africa. Their research shows the country “will probably have in excess of 60 billion tonnes of coal remaining. The quality is suitable for power generation and export-grade blending.”
The Council’s research is influencing South Africa’s energy planning around:
“Mapping doesn’t advance whether coal is critical; it just defines the envelope in which energy planning can operate,” explained Buthelezi.
CEO of the Coaltech Research Association Avhurengwi Nengovhela said they are working with different partners on high-efficiency low-emissions projects that should hopefully allow utilities to continue to operate coal-fired power plants while still meeting emissions regulations.
There are also six projects centred on exploring different pathways to extract Rare Earth Elements (REEs) for wind turbines and solar panels. “When you’re looking at waste valorisation, can we get to a point where the fly ash dump can be reclaimed for REEs? Then we’re talking a different economy,” said Negovhela.
The Association is also working with Eskom on the utility’s High Efficiency Low Emission (HELE) technologies research. This focuses on developing a more efficient use of coal that requires less fuel per MWh generated.
Buthelezi reinforced Nengovhela’s interest in R&D, saying her personal focus is on ensuring that South Africa is investing enough into science and research that looks at innovations “to make coal compatible with a lower carbon future.
“If we do not lead with science, we will blindly follow narratives that do not necessarily support our national strategy,” she warned.
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