Health fears as substandard coal doubles fly ash, Mercury levels View(s):Amidst environmentalists raising concerns this week that recent substandard coal consignments may contain high levels of mercury, thereby posing a health risk to Norochcholai residents, an energy analyst has calculated that the amount of mercury generally released to the environment due to coal combustion is between 600 and 650kg per year. Reports point to mercury values of 0.27mg per kilogramme of coal. So, it becomes a vapour at combustion and is therefore not captured with ash in the ash filters (electrostatic precipitators or ESPs). This is a clear indication that the coal coming from South Africa under the current contract is high in ash. “Bottom ash quantums are similarly increased, as well as pyrites, which are impurities in coal that clog the coal grinding mills,” he explained.

Source: Sunday Times April 05, 2026 06:50 UTC