Fossil Fuel
Carbon in Edenvale

Fossil fuel foundation mandate is to provide a forum to serve communities working in all aspects of the coal, carbon and energy worlds - from exploration through production to use and environmental consequence.

Multidisciplinary topics are covered including those in the coal producer and user sectors, clean coal technologies, alternative energies, conventional and unconventional gas, coalbed methane, health and safety, climate change and the environment. FFF conferences, academic and industrial courses and colloquia provide specialist information on these topics and the FFF membership provides a network throughout the entire coal, carbon and energy sectors both within South Africa and across the region. Many coal research and analytical laboratories had been closed and highly experienced personnel had left the industry. Universities had ceased to teach coal science and technology at undergraduate level in virtually all disciplines including those required in geology, exploration, beneficiation and utilisation. Mining and mining safety had become the only topics of academic interest. A call for papers in coal and related topics at that Centennial conference generated thirty five papers. At the close of that conference, twenty people met to discuss the need to create an association for the express purpose of sharing multidisciplinary technical information on coal. Delegates and the interest in coal continued to increase. Coal courses were introduced and developed in co-operation with the University of the Witwatersrand. These included modules, colloquia and lectures from local and overseas specialists. It was during this period that the Foundation was awarded the tender for researching the methane emissions from mines for the International Country Studies on Global Climate Change funded by the USA. The FFF began to host a number of other major events. The Foundation was invited to host a number of senior government delegations and industry personnel from various countries. Central and Regional council members were appointed, strategies developed and the Foundation’s functions confirmed. The FFF has continued to expand and maintain its objectives of networking, sharing of technological information and providing knowledge in this diverse industry. The Foundation is now recognised as fulfilling not only a vital role in South Africa and the region but is acknowledged by international specialist organisations such as the IEA Clean Coal Centre and the World Coal Institute amongst others. It offers an independent multi-disciplinary forum for the development of national policies and not only co-ordinates innovative projects including research but is also committed to on-going education through conferences and courses.