Thungela Resources CEO July Ndlovu said yesterday the coal miner was investing in geoscience solutions to curb carbon emissions after the company signed an agreement to drive Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) research.
Signed with the Council for Geoscience (CGS), the agreement seeks to advance geoscientific initiatives related to climate change mitigation.
“As a coal producer and exporter, we recognise the need to adapt and mitigate emissions from the burning of coal,” said Ndlovu.
He said the agreement with the CGS was demonstrative of Thungela’s commitments to active participation in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.
“By working with the CGS, we are investing in geoscience-based solutions that support national priorities and international climate agreements, including South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement,” said Ndlovu.
This comes as South Africa has just secured R628 million from the EU to get its green hydrogen industry rolling. Several South African miners have also been investing in renewable energy such as solar power plants, key investments seen as reducing their carbon footprints and reliance on coal-fired electricity.
Thungela’s partnership agreement with the CGS will help to institutionalise the collaboration between the two in effective implementation of carbon capture, utilisation and storage.
The agreement will be hinged on “equality, reciprocity, and mutual benefit” through implementation of technologies that promote research and development of carbon capture, storage and utilisation.
“In addition to advancing climate and environmental research, the partnership between CGS and Thungela will focus on capacity building through education and training initiatives. These programs will help develop a pool of skilled professionals in the energy sector, equipped to meet future challenges and contribute to South Africa’s climate goals,” said the two companies.
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, recently launched the CCUS plant in Mpumalanga.
Mosa Mabuza, CEO of the CGS, said after Mantashe called for stronger public-private partnerships to help South Africa meet its climate commitments, the agreement with Thungela was a step in the right direction.
“Today’s signing represents a collaborative effort to drive research, development, and implementation of geoscientific programs. By combining our expertise, CGS and Thungela are setting the stage for significant advancements in carbon capture and sustainable resource management,” said Mabuza.
Ndlovu, who recently indicated that the company’s carbon emission strategies include planned mine closures, said in April that Thungela was committed to reducing its scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 30% by 2030.
He added that the company had attained an 11% reduction in scope 1 and scope 2 emissions in 2023, with energy and carbon intensity improvements that reflect the dedication of its sites to energy efficiency improvements as well as the implementation of a 4MW renewable energy project at Zibulo which is expected to be operational before the end of this year.
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