South Africa marked a significant milestone in its climate change mitigation efforts with the inauguration of its first carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) project by Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe in Leandra, Mpumalanga, on August 30.
The inauguration concluded the first phase of the pilot programme, managed by the Council for Geoscience, in a location chosen for its proximity to major carbon emission points after a comprehensive geological site characterisation in Mpumalanga, which included drilling a 1 800 m borehole, in May.
The CCUS project is part of South Africa’s nationally appropriate mitigation actions against climate change developed in collaboration with the United Nations.
Mantashe emphasised the importance of the project amid South Africa's heavy reliance on coal. “South Africa currently produces the largest amount of coal in Africa and ranks among the top 10 coal-producing countries worldwide,” he said, stressing that coal remains central to the nation’s energy production.
The CCUS project is aiming to enhance the efficiency and environmental acceptability of coal extraction, preparation and use, he pointed out.
Similar technologies are used in China, the United States, India, Canada and Norway – and African nations like Egypt, Nigeria and Angola view CCUS as crucial to meet their climate goals, Mantashe pointed out.
The second phase of the programme will continue in partnership with Sasol.
