Continuing a run of new global enrolments, the World Coal Association (WCA) has welcomed South African mining investor, Menar, to its roster of progressive coal members.
From left: July Ndlovu and Daleen Lopez-Ruiz, WCA, and Mpumelelo Mkhabela and Vuslat Bayoglu of Menar.
On the sidelines of the Mining Indaba in Cape Town, WCA CEO, Michelle Manook formalised Menar’s WCA membership with Menar Chairman, Mpumelelo Mkhabela, and Menar Managing Director, Vuslat Bayoglu, saying coal was entering a new age of abatement which would ensure it survives and thrives for decades to come.
“World events have shown how indispensable all energy resources are … We can’t afford to gamble on singular or secondary energy solutions when reliable, affordable, abated fuels resources are available.
“Coal has entered a new age of abatement which allows up to 99 per cent of all coal emissions to be eliminated through technologies and processes that can deliver Paris targets and prosperity. Our members know this and want to share that commitment to energy excellence.”
WCA Chairman, July Ndlovu says the world has been plagued by unprecedented energy challenges and it is clear these are not going away anytime soon. “We need energy security in an insecure world. The past year has taught us that coal remains one of the best placed fuels to provide the energy security and sustainable strength that the world needs.
“With the wide sweeping clean technology available and a new breed of coal participants like Menar signing on to an abated coal future, we are in a good position to create a reliable, resilient energy system which uses coal to deliver economic development, climate change goals, and sustainable development outcomes.”
Mr Mkhabela said that as a private investment company with a growing portfolio of diverse mining assets, Menar has a demonstrable commitment to skills and enterprise development, local procurement and employment. “We understand the need for coal to transform, alongside the need to keep economies developing and peoples’ lives improving. Coal is the bridge between all sustainable outcomes.”
Menar Managing Director, Vuslat Bayoglu says the good coal story is too often overlooked and this needs to be rectified. Coal remains the mainstay of steel production which creates wind turbines, solar panels, and battery storage, and these underpin renewable energy.
“As I have said before, until countries can manufacture steel, cement and aluminium without coal, we need to be practical and accept coal’s current contribution to a decarbonised future. Looking forward, we want to be part of a fully abated coal future where participants across the coal value chain are playing their part to eliminate emissions, increase economic value and create sustainable social capital. That future needs to be better understood and that is why we are joining the WCA and its alliance of like-minded members committed to Future Coal.”
Ms Manook says Menar joins Seriti as another new South African member of WCA committed to modernising coal as a multifaceted, abated fuel of the future.
For more information visit: www.worldcoal.org
