Coaltech Research Association
Coaltech in the news
Independent coverage of Coaltech research, projects and industry work by the mining and engineering press. Each article opens on the publisher’s own site.
Research support advances coal innovation
Nadine Ramdass
A feature on the Coaltech collaborative research programme, now in its twenty seventh year, and the FY2027 call for proposals. Focus themes include emissions management, water management, digital tools for operational safety, and the reclamation of discard dumps.
Process shows promise for brine pond treatment
Devina Haripersad
A biological sulphate reduction process treated hypersaline brine from coal operations at bench scale, and pilot work is now recommended. The findings were presented at the Coaltech Colloquium in Benoni on 28 May.
Research supports irrigation as a mine water management strategy
Devina Haripersad
University of Pretoria research presented at the 2026 Coaltech Colloquium shows that suitable mine water can be used responsibly for irrigation, offering a productive and potentially lower cost alternative to conventional desalination.
South African, global coal sectors need to define mineral’s role in the energy mix
Schalk Burger
Coverage of the Coaltech Colloquium, where the case was put that the coal sector and Coaltech must define where coal fits in South Africa’s energy mix and in the wider balancing act of energy supply.
Mintek spearheading rare earth elements recovery from discard coal, fly ash
Martin Creamer
Coaltech approved funding for a Mintek hydrometallurgy proposal to recover rare earth elements from discard coal and fly ash, turning two waste streams into a potential source of critical minerals.
Coaltech to launch GHG management, reporting framework for coal sector
Darren Parker
A Coaltech led initiative to develop South Africa’s first sector wide framework for managing and reporting Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, built on credible data and aligned standards.
Coaltech delves into new uses for coal discards among new research priorities
Marleny Arnoldi
The 2025/26 project portfolio, spanning new uses for coal discards, environmental stewardship and safety focused work aimed at protecting workers and surrounding communities.
Clean coal tech required in energy transition
Nadine Ramdass
Coaltech’s shift towards clean coal technologies, including funded environmental projects on nature based solutions, rehabilitation of mine impacted land and carbon sequestration.