Environmental aspects of the production and utilization of coal in Africa

Abstract

To enhance the pursuance of its economic and social objectives for the development of the region, ECA has developed a series of strategies to assist member states in the exploitation of their mineral resources in such a manner that will ensure environmentally sound development. the purpose of this paper is to emphasize the environmental concern of mineral exploitation and use within the context of coal production as relates to its contribution to development in the region. The objective here is to highlight the environmental implication of coal production and utilization so as to develop an awareness of the environmental problems that should be anticipated and possible resources that could be taken to alleviate them if total solutions cannot be found for them.