As the global discourse around energy shifts toward renewables, Zimbabwe finds itself at a crossroads regarding how best to utilize its abundant coal reserves. Coal, a contentious topic in climate change discussions, remains a reliable source of energy for many developing nations, including Zimbabwe.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Recent statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump about coal and America’s reindustrialization efforts offer critical insights into why Zimbabwe must continue to explore, utilize, and expand its coal production for energy and industrial development.
During his Presidency, Trump championed the use of fossil fuels, notably coal, to revitalize American industry. Recently, the U.S. President-elect declared, “America will build more, bigger, and better coal power stations than China.” This sentiment resonates with many Zimbabweans who, like Trump, view coal as a vital resource that should not be abandoned due to Western pressures to adopt green energy.
In fact, Trump’s campaign slogan, “drill, baby, drill,” reflected a robust commitment to exploring and utilizing coal, oil, and gas to fuel the U.S. economy.
Learning from the West
Zimbabwe should take a page from Trump’s playbook by embracing its coal resources, just as Western countries did during their own industrial growth. Western nations built their economies on the back of coal, and today, despite advocating for cleaner energy globally, they continue to rely on fossil fuels.
Africa, especially Zimbabwe, is under pressure to abandon its coal resources in favour of renewables. However, such a move would be detrimental to the country’s economic aspirations.
Trump’s decision to consider pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement and his aggressive stance on energy exploration were driven by a desire to ensure America’s energy security and economic competitiveness. For Zimbabwe, coal is equally critical in achieving these goals. With regular power outages and an energy crisis that stifles industry, relying solely on renewable energy will not suffice. Zimbabwe needs coal-fired power stations to provide a consistent energy base load, especially as the country moves toward beneficiation and value addition of minerals.
Beneficiation and Value Addition: A Coal-Dependent Path
The beneficiation of minerals, particularly critical ones like lithium, requires substantial energy. Zimbabwe’s lithium potential is well-known, but processing it locally to add value demands reliable, high-energy power stations. Coal can provide this stability. As William Gambiza, CEO of HCCL Holdings, explained, “Africa faces unique challenges, and in the context of the energy crisis, coal remains a reliable source.”
While some countries are abandoning coal, the demand for it in Zimbabwe and across Africa remains strong, particularly for energy-intensive industries.
Trump’s stance on coal highlights a key point for developing nations: while the West can afford to push for 100% renewable energy, Africa, which still requires industrialization, cannot. Zimbabwe’s coal reserves provide an opportunity to power local industries, including the energy-intensive processes of smelting and refining minerals. The country must avoid the trap of relying solely on renewable energy, which is unreliable for industrial use without proper base-load infrastructure.
Cleaner Coal Technologies: A Middle Ground
The debate over coal’s future isn’t about abandoning it entirely but rather about using it more responsibly. Gambiza emphasized the need for research into making coal cleaner. With advancements in technology, Zimbabwe can focus on adopting cleaner coal-burning technologies, mitigating the environmental impact of coal-fired power stations.
Investing in “green coal” technologies can help reduce carbon emissions, enabling Zimbabwe to meet global environmental standards while still utilizing its vast coal reserves. By doing so, Zimbabwe can transition to greener solutions without sacrificing its industrial growth and energy security.
Western Hypocrisy and Africa’s Coal Future
Zimbabwe’s coal story reflects a larger narrative of Western hypocrisy regarding climate change. Developed nations like the U.S. and China continue to rely heavily on coal, with China alone burning millions of tonnes daily. Yet, these same nations pressure Africa to abandon its coal reserves, which are minuscule in comparison.
As one observer noted, “Zimbabwe needs less than 50,000 tonnes of coal daily to generate about 5,000 MW for 24 hours. Compare this to more than 450,000 tonnes South Africa burns and about 5,000,000 tonnes per day in China.”
While the West pushes for Africa to adopt renewable energy, African countries must resist being railroaded into prematurely abandoning their coal reserves. As stated in the article Coal Future Still Bright in Mining Zimbabwe, coal remains a crucial part of Africa’s energy future. Studies project a significant increase in coal use across Southern Africa by 2050, accounting for 38% of the energy mix.
This projection underscores the continued importance of coal in powering Africa’s industrial future.
