PROJECTS: OUTH AFRICA'S COAL COMMUNITIES

The project follows a journey through coal towns in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Hundreds of thousands of people work in the coal industry, but they face an uncertain future as South Africa is pressured to close the coal-fired power stations that provide most of the electricity in the country. A green transition is encouraged by the international community, and the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan – funded primarily by the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union – has pledged about US$8.5 billion to South Africa for phasing out these power stations. There are about 130 active coal mines in Mpumalanga and about 600 closed ones. The pollution is some of the worst in the world according to a recent report by Greenpeace. Many people suffer from health problems, asthma, cancer and breathing problems. Mining companies seldom rehabilitate closed mines. Dust from mines is a problem around the province. Many closed mines are used illegally by artisanal miners.