Global association for the sustainable use of coal FutureCoal on February 13 announced Seriti Resources group CEO Mike Teke as chairperson of its newly established Southern Africa chapter.

He will lobby for the continued use of coal across the power generation, steel, fertiliser, chemical and cement industries, in a responsible and environment-friendly manner.

FutureCoal CE Michelle Manook said sustainable coal stewardship was possible, particularly as 99% pollution abatement technologies for coal are available, and that coal remains a strategic asset for countries developing their economies.

Teke agreed that, in Southern Africa’s case, such vast resources of coal should not be abandoned or stranded, but rather be mined, produced and processed responsibly with due concern to the environment.

Together, South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe hold 150-billion tonnes of coal reserves.

The Southern Africa chapter of FutureCoal will build on the organisation’s global advocacy efforts which champion sustainable transformation across the entire coal value chain.

The organisation strives to unite industry leaders, governments and international partners to ensure consistent and clear policies and strategies that enhance the responsible and sustainable use of coal.

Teke committed to advance leadership in uniting the value chain and reshaping coal’s future regionally and internationally.

The Southern Africa chapter already has 13 inaugural members from across the region, which are driving sustainable coal stewardship, including modernisation of the value chain to achieve mutually beneficial economic and environmental outcomes that serve national and global ambitions.

“We are nations blessed with a valuable resource and we will be stronger together. I am calling on more of my peers across coal enterprises to publicly join this alliance that leads a pragmatic and realistic discussion on coal’s inclusion,” Teke stated, adding that coal value chain members had a responsibility to drive transformation with countries and nations’ best interests at heart.

Manook reaffirmed that FutureCoal’s aspiration was prosperity for all, without choosing one path over another to sustainability, and rather empowering regions to chart their own course and foster their growth in a responsible manner.