Coal & Energy Transition Day 2023
Tuesday 18 July 2023
08h45-17h30
The last 12 months have proved an interesting time for coal. The imposition of sanctions on Russian coal by Western countries has led to a reduction in supply on the global market, which has driven up prices and created opportunities for other coal-producing countries, including South Africa. However, conversations around decarbonization and net zero emissions are ongoing and there is still pressure on South Africa to take steps to implement the transition away from coal and the shift towards greener energy solutions, while taking into account the economic, social, and environmental factors around coal mining in the country.
At the second edition of the Coal & Energy Transition Day, leaders from government, coal producers, alternative energy providers, investors, funders and independent experts will discuss key issues such as:
- What is the impact of current geopolitical developments on global energy needs?
- Are we seeing an extension of the life of coal as a result?
- What will Southern Africa’s future energy mix look like?
- What actions does the industry and government need to take to begin the energy transition and move away from coal?
- What is the role of renewable energy in the energy transition?
- What are Eskom’s plans for meeting increasing energy demand and its views on coal and alternative energy sources?
- What are Transnet’s plans for increasing capacity and protecting its rail infrastructure?
- And much more...
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Chair: Bernard Swanepoel
08h45-09h00 |
Welcome and introduction
Bernard Swanepoel
|
09h00-09h30 |
Opening keynote address: Global energy outlook: energy security vs. green energy. What does the future hold? What has been the impact of geopolitical and economic developments in the past 18 months on the coal industry and the energy transition? To what extent are we seeing a shift of priority from green energy to energy security? What does this mean for the future of the coal industry and the energy transition? For how long will coal prices remain elevated and demand for Southern African coal exports continue to increase? What is the outlook for energy security in the medium to longer term? To what extent will volatility and uncertainty continue to dominate the market?
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09h30-10h30 |
Session One What are the latest developments in the energy transition strategy for South Africa? Given South Africa’s current energy crisis, should we still be talking about a transition away from coal, at least in the short term? What are the current timeframes for the transition away from coal? Is there a role for Clean Coal Technologies (CCTs) - carbon capture and storage, underground coal gasification, coal to liquids? What is the potential role of gas and nuclear as transitionary energy sources? What will the future energy mix of South Africa look like? What are the plans for upskilling/reskilling the current coal workforce to create viable and sustainable ‘beyond coal’ job opportunities and to support the energy transition?
Steve Nicholls, Head: Climate Mitigation, Presidential Climate Commission Reitumetse Molotsoane, Head of Environment, National Business Initiative (NBI)
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10h30-11h00 |
Morning refreshments and networking
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11h00-12h20 |
Session Two Conversations with coal industry CEOs How are local and global trends influencing coal producers’ strategies? How do coal companies see their core business changing over the near to medium term? How has loadshedding impacted the local demand for coal? To what extent has this been offset by the increase in demand for exports? How are coal producers dealing with the logistical challenges of getting their coal from pit to port? How is the current bottleneck impacting profitability? What are coal companies doing to make coal cleaner? What are they doing to decarbonize their own operations? Into which areas are they diversifying to ensure their long-term future?
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11h00-11h20 |
Mike Teke, CEO, Seriti Resources
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11h20-11h40 |
Dr Nombasa Tsengwa, CEO, Exxaro Resources
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11h40-12h00 |
July Ndlovu, CEO, Thungela Resources
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12h00-12h20 |
Vuslat Bayoglu, Managing Director, Menar
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12h20-12h50 |
Session Three What are Eskom’s plans for resolving the energy crisis and what are its views on coal and alternative energy sources? What is Eskom’s view of the current energy crisis? What is Eskom doing to ensure security of energy supply in the short term? What is Eskom doing to eradicate corruption in the coal supply chain? What is Eskom’s strategy regarding the purchasing of coal and at what price? What is its strategy regarding smaller suppliers? What are Eskom’s plans to move away from coal and over what timeframe? How does Eskom plan to diversify its sources of energy over the longer term and become carbon neutral?
Matthew Mflathelwa, General Manager: Strategy and Planning, Eskom Dan Mashigo, General Manager: Primary Energy, Eskom
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12h50-13h50 |
Lunch
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13h50-14h35 |
Session Four The role of the rail network and ports in facilitating the transportation and export of coal What are the current bottlenecks on the rail network and at the ports? What is being done to alleviate these? What infrastructure projects are underway or planned to increase capacity? What is Transnet doing to procure the additional locomotives it needs to increase capacity? What is Transnet doing to minimize the incidence of theft and sabotage on its rail network? How can RBCT assist with enabling greater access to markets, especially for junior coal producers? What are other ports doing to facilitate the export of coal? What is being done to add more capacity at the ports?
Sizakele Mzimela, Chief Executive, Transnet Freight Rail Alan Waller, CEO, Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT)
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14h35-15h05
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Session Five Junior/mid-tier coal producers’ panel: how to succeed in a challenging market What percentage are junior/mid-tier coal miners contributing to the total output of coal in the SADC region and how is this changing? What local and export markets are they currently serving? What challenges are juniors/mid-tiers facing – obtaining funding, offtake agreements, port allocation, planning for mine closure and rehabilitation, etc.? How are they overcoming these challenges? What are the latest developments in terms of signing agreements with Eskom? How can junior coal miners become more financially sound, achieve economies of scale and find new markets?
Shammy Luvhengo, Founder & CEO, Ndalamo Resources Edwin Elias, CEO, Morupule Coal Mine
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15h05-15h35 |
Afternoon refreshments and networking
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15h35-16h20 |
Session Six Funding the energy transition What funding is available for alternative energy projects and for organisations to transition to cleaner energy sources? How can we achieve a balance between funding alternative energy projects and providing financial assistance for the coal industry during the transition? Whose responsibility is this? What international financial support is available for South Africa to facilitate the energy transition? An update on South Africa’s Just Transition Partnership (JETP)
Mark van Wyk, Managing Partner, Infra Impact Investment Managers
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16h20-17h05 |
Session Seven The role of renewable energy in the energy transition How has the renewable energy sector in Southern Africa developed in the last 12 months? What impact has loadshedding and the removal of licensing requirements for private energy projects had on the uptake of renewable energy? What challenges is the renewable energy sector facing, e.g., the lack of grid capacity, the absence of grid queuing rules, lack of storage capacity, the need for skilled workers, etc.? What is needed from the Government to assist the renewable energy industry to grow? How can Government and industry collaborate to facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the grid? What is the potential contribution of renewables to the energy mix in Southern Africa?
Niveshen Govender, CEO, South African Wind Energy Association Mogale Modisane, Technical Oversight and Support (Renewable Energy), ENGIE Frank Spencer, Head of Deployment, Bushveld Energy
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17h05-17h10 |
Closing remarks from the Chair
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17h10-19h00 |
Networking drinks reception
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2023 Sponsors:
Mining Industry Partners:

Sponsors:

For more information on sponsorship opportunities at either the Coal & Energy Transition Day or the Hydrogen Economy Discussion, please email: sponsorship@resources4africa.com
This year the Coal & Energy Transition Day will be held alongside our 3rd annual Hydrogen Economy Discussion, which will take place on 19th July. For more information on this event, please click here.
2023 Media Partners
African Mining Brief, African Mining News, Africa Surveyors, CoalShastra, Forerunner, Global African Network, Interact Media, Media Xpose, Mining Business Africa, Mining CSI, Mining Weekly, Mining Review Africa, Modern Mining, 3S Media, The SA Miner
The Coal & Energy Transition Day was brought to you by Resources 4 Africa, the organisers of the Joburg Indaba.
“By the industry for the industry”
The organisers reserve the right to alter the programme, timings and speakers.