Coaltech 2020 is a collaborative research programme which has been formed by the major coal  companies, Universities, CSIR, NUM and the state to address the specific needs of the Coal Mining Industry in South Africa using local and international knowledge and skills.

Programme Vision

"The development of technology and the application of research findings will enable the South African coal industry to remain competitive, sustainable and safe well into the Twentyfirst Century."

Factors which make this programme unique

• Truly collaborative between mineral and energy industries, labour, the state, universities and other research organisations.
• It is "industry needs" driven.
• Development of post graduate students.
• Formal involvement and partnership with universities.
• Funding by the Industry, the State and the CSIR.
  

Coaltech research concentrates on the Witbank-Highveld coalfield initially because:

• The Witbank-Highveld coalfield produces 81% of saleable coal in South Africa.
• Approximately 2,25-million people are dependent on the mines in the Witbank-Highveld coalfield.
• Mines in the Witbank-Highveld coalfields contribute R30-billion pa to the GDPA.
• The replacement cost of a large export mine is approximately R2-billion and extending the Richards Bay coal line to the Waterberg would cost a further R3-billion.

The following organisations support and actively participate on COALTECH 2020

• Anglo Coal
• CSIR Mining Technology
• Department of Minerals and Energy (DME)
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-THRIP)
• Xstrata
• Eskom
• Eyesizwe
• Ingwe
• Kumba Resources
• National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)
• National Research Foundation (NRF)
• Sasol Coal
• The Chamber of Mines of South Africa
• Total
• University of Pretoria
• University of Witwatersrand