Monthly Archives: November 2012

Sasol is the world’s first – and largest – oil-from-coal refinery.  It is situated in Sasolburg in South Africa and provides 40% of the country’s fuel. The history of Sasol began in 1927 when a White Paper was tabled in Parliament to investigate the establishment of a South African oil-from-coal industry. It was realised then Continue Reading

Researchers have created a remarkable new kind of concrete that’s made out of waste products from coal plants–concrete that could both last for hundreds of years and reduce carbon emissions by 90%. The cement industry is one of the most polluting industries there is, contributing 5-8% of the world’s greenhouse gases. This new ‘geopolymer concrete’ Continue Reading

Coke is a material with high carbon content and porosity.  It has high resistance to breakage and low reactivity with gases, particularly CO2.  Coke production is an important part of the integrated iron and steel plants, as it is used both as a reducing agent and as a source of thermal energy in blast furnace. Continue Reading

Mining has long been part of the development and advancement of South Africa’s economy and has contributed largely in making the strongest economy on the continent. South Africa’s mining industry is the country’s largest employer, with around 460,000 employees and a further 400,000 employed by the suppliers of goods and services to the industry. Ownership, access and opportunity in regards to Continue Reading