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 , on Friday, August 30, in Leandra, Mpumalanga.
The event concluded the first phase of the pilot programme, managed by the Council for Geoscience (CGS). The site was chosen due to its proximity to major carbon emission points, a decision made after completing a comprehensive geological site characterisation in Mpumalanga and drilling an 1 800-meter borehole in May.
The CCUS project is part of South Africas Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) against climate change, developed in collaboration with the United Nations.
Minister Mantashe stressed 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 ten coal-producing countries worldwide, he said, emphasising that coal remains central to the nations energy production.
The CCUS project aims to enhance both the efficiency and environmental acceptability of coal extraction, preparation, and use, he said.
Mantashe noted that similar technologies were being used in other countries, such as China, the United States, India, Canada, and Norway, and pointed out that African nations like Egypt, Nigeria, and Angola see CCUS as crucial for meeting their climate goals.
The second phase of the programme will continue in partnership with Sasol.
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