UK prime minister Boris Johnson said this week the UN climate change conference had sounded the "death knell" for coal power, although countries agreed to a watered-down phase down, rather than a phase out, approach. 

Producers of coal - the most polluting fossil fuel - and countries that consume oil, gas and coal said the change of wording showed they had successfully defended the use of natural resources for which demand is still high and supply is tight, Reuters reported.

The NUM last week said it supported mining minister Gwede Mantashe's call not to let coal mining become extinct.

Mantashe had told an energy conference the country was "being pressured, even compelled" to move away from all forms of fossil fuels.

It was his first speech since South Africa secured R131 billion at COP26 from the US, UK, France, Germany and the European Union to phase out coal power, a move the NUM was opposed to.

"It will be very irresponsible for South Africa to stop the use of coal," the union said.

It was not opposed to renewable energy but said the closure of coal-fired power stations should not be rushed as it would have a devastating socio-economic impact.

It said yesterday coal was crucial to the country's GDP and many households were sustained by coal through businesses and employment.

The Minerals Council South Africa said last month coal would remain significant for decades, as it developed a Net Zero 2050 Action Plan and said a "just transition" must support greater investment in renewables, without compromising energy security. 

South Africa is in the midst of a long-running energy crisis with frequent load-shedding to reduce pressure on the network, which is beset by issues including ageing infrastructure, theft and vandalism.