Cleaner Production in the South African Coal Mining and Processing Industry: A Case Study Investigation

Abstract

A case study investigation was undertaken to explore the potential for introducing Cleaner Production (CP) to the South African coal mining and processing industry. A broad and integrated array of interventions was identified, highlighting the potential for CP to significantly reduce the environmental impacts of the case study collieries. Owing to the relative homogeneity of the South African coal mining industry, it is expected that CP may prove to be beneficial to the industry as a whole. However, it will only be able to fully embrace the approach once several economical, technological, and managerial barriers have been overcome.