South Africa’s mineable coal reserves are enough to support mining for about 118 years at current production rates, according to junior coal miner Canyon Coal chairperson Vuslat Bayoglu. However, intensifying anticoal sentiment has resulted in major multinationals reviewing their coal strategies, with a resulting decline in investment in new coal mines in South Africa. This could result in the country’s reaching a coal cliff, with serious economic ramifications, as the sector generates the highest sales revenue in the mining industry and is a significant employer. Creamer Media’s Coal 2019 report examines South Africa’s coal industry with regard to the business environment, the main participants, local demand, coal exports and logistics, projects being undertaken by the large and smaller participants, as well as various issues affecting the sector, including labour and environmental considerations.

Stripped of all emotion, the most recent outlook statements of South Africa’s surviving construction companies provide sobering snapshots of market conditions, which remain beyond trying. In such a context, each and every construction contract has become something of a precious commodity and this latest ‘Projects in Progress’ update attempts to offer a glimpse into some of the infrastructure, resources and industrial project activity still under way in South Africa and the region.

In February 2019, Minerals Council South Africa CEO Roger Baxter stated that the sector was in crisis, as more than 60% of the platinum mining industry was either lossmaking or marginal. He attributed the difficulties to an oversupply in the market, as a result of static new mine supply, weaker demand, increased platinum recycling volumes, domestic labour disruptions, lower productivity and rising costs. Despite all the challenges, the Minerals Council and platinum group metals producer Anglo American Platinum CEO Chris Griffith are optimistic that the industry can turn itself around if it takes the right steps. This includes ensuring that South Africa creates global demand by promoting platinum as a store of value and an investment product. Creamer Media’s Platinum 2019 report provides a global overview of the platinum market, with a particular focus on South Africa’s platinum-sector business and regulatory environment. The report includes commentary on the main participants in South Africa’s platinum industry, other platinum producers, and exploration and development companies.