Global coal demand, South Africa's coal industry and the Richards Bay Coal Terminal

This article examines the importance of resource-based development and exploitation in a developing country; with a specific focus on the coal industry in South Africa. Change in global coal supply and demand provide the broad context, as do details about the loss of mining operations in once prosperous coal-fields around the world. The history of the coal industry in South Africa and its importance both globally is detailed. A key focus of this article is on the strategically important Richards Bay harbour and its dedicated coal terminal. Technical details about the terminal are provided and its local impact is considered.