Economic impact Coal in South Africa
south africa 1 of 7 largest coal-producing , 1 of top 5 coal-exporting countries in world. more quarter of coal mined in south africa exported, of leaves country via richards bay. coal south africa s third largest source of foreign exchange; platinum being largest , gold second. around 15% of country s gdp (2000 estimate) spent on energy , 77% of derived coal. in 2004, coal , lignite mining industry generated gross income of r39 billion , directly employed 50,000 people. the witbank coalfield accounts 40% of south africa s coal production.