Eskom recently called for a pact with coal miners to limit their annual price increases. Miners rejected this suggestion as they are also negatively affected by the high cost of electricity.
The utility is finalising - in conjunction with the Department of Public Enterprises - a strategy that includes establishing a fund to support the development of new coal mining operations. It aims to increase black ownership and participation in coal mining and use coal trading to secure resources and enhance transformation.
"We seek to transform South Africa's coal mining industry at the same time as we ensure a secure supply of coal for domestic power supply," Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Monday. "Our view is that Eskom needs to come up with a model ... which will balance exports against the supplying power stations," he said, adding that he had not seen detailed plans from Eskom on how it intends to accomplish some of the initiatives without disadvantaging junior miners, BDLive reports.
Read the full article on www.bdlive.co.za.
