Published on : 20/05/2022 – 00:46
Goodbye coal, oil, gas? In the near future, these fossil fuels could well disappear. For the greater good of the planet, but with serious consequences for the populations who live from their exploitation. What will become of minors and their families? The ecological transition must be correct “, repeat at will the professionals of the sector who plead for them to be granted time. For its part, civil society calls not to forget the communities who risk losing their jobs. NGOs were brought together at an alternative summit on the sidelines of the Mining Indaba exhibition which brings together professionals from the mining sector. On the fringe, but not so far away.
From our correspondent in Cape Town,
Here we are in an alternative summit with controversial ideas. ” Coal is dead, long live coal ! “, arranges a man. Which makes you react: Nope ! Coal kills! In front of an audience of activists, this speaker denounced the pressure from developed countries which would force the energy transition. ” It is to launch the debate that I allow myself this provocation. We must find a way that goes beyond the question of reducing CO² emissions, which is an obsession of the countries of the North. »
An energy transition that must take populations into account
Thialy Faye, head of the economic justice program for the NGO Oxfam in Senegal, agrees: ” For the moment, we in Africa are not yet ready for the energy transition because today Africa pollutes at less than 4% and there are developing countries which have contributed much more to pollution and which so far have not made a number of commitments. But here in Africa, I feel like we want to go too fast ».
Thialy Faye calls for not abruptly abandoning fossil fuels, which support African economies and strengthen their energy independence. A speech carried by the South African Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe. ” We should not direct our investments solely towards the energy transition, but rather do the same for universal access to electricity. The energy transition cannot be fair, without justice. It should not be interested in figures without taking into account populations. »
A secure economic future for miners
The coal industry represents 100,000 direct jobs in South Africa. Yes, job losses are to be expected in the coming years, but miners will always have a future in the country’s economy, assures Roger Baxter, CEO of the South African Minerals Council: ” Miners who work in coal mines are good engineers and share skills with other heavily mechanized mining sectors. Most people who work in coal will be able to find opportunities in other mining sectors if they are allowed to develop. »
To turn away from fossil fuels, the African continent is betting on green metals: these are the metals necessary for the ecological transition and which are made from cobalt, lithium, zinc, copper or nickel. Our energy future is still being played out in the depths of the earth.