South Africa's solar future

"The open pit mines alone are only part of the problem: the coal mine industry also disturbs the vicinity around mines for processing, transportation, sludge storage, and power," the report said.

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Cleaning the mess

Reclamation and cleaning up the mess after mining is not a standard routine in much of the world.

“Without a profit motive to remediate, and weak government enforcement, many companies simply walk away — leaving behind unstable land and unmet obligations. As such, old mining sites have become prone to hazards and accidents,” the report said.

A common hurdle to building solar projects on former coal mines is identifying landowners. “When coal operations close, companies often unload properties to junior firms or file for bankruptcy. The change in ownership makes it difficult to track control of land titles over time,” the report noted.

The coal mines identified for repurposing from 2020 to 2030 offer a wide spectrum of solar opportunities. About a third of the 438 coal mine sites are suitable for community-scale solar projects, while most are capable of supporting larger, utility-scale solar developments.

In most cases, abandoned coal mines are near grid infrastructure such as transmission lines and substations. For recently closed mines, 96% are within 10km of the grid and 91% are within 10km of a grid connection such as a substation. For operating mines expected to close before the end of 2030, 87% are within 10km of the grid and 76% are within 10km of a grid connection.

"These mines are so close to the grid that renewable developers have even investigated the locations for large-scale battery storage. Some sites have also been explored for green hydrogen production. The proximity to the grid can make these coal-to-solar projects more cost-competitive," the report said.