South Africa’s Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has highlighted the potential of shale gas to reshape the country’s energy landscape. Speaking at a press conference in Cape Town, Mantashe reaffirmed his commitment to lifting the moratorium on shale gas exploration, a promise he initially made during the African Energy Week last year.

Mantashe emphasized the government’s pursuit of innovative solutions, including utilizing grey water in the drilling process, to ensure responsible development of the country's shale gas reserves.

“Developing our oil and gas resources is essential for driving economic growth,” said Mantashe.

The minister noted that his vision remains to enhance South Africa’s energy capabilities while responsibly managing its natural resources.

The Minister acknowledged the challenges posed by environmental concerns and regulatory obstacles, particularly in the water-scarce Karoo Basin, where shale gas is believed to be located.

Despite the potential benefits, shale gas extraction in South Africa faces significant hurdles. The Karoo region, known for its semi-arid climate, may struggle with water scarcity, as hydraulic fracturing requires substantial water resources.

Environmental groups and local farmers have raised alarms over the potential contamination of water sources and the impact on the delicate ecosystem. Additionally, the Karoo is home to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope, whose operations could be disrupted by shale gas activities.

During Mantashe’s address he also drew attention to recent offshore discoveries in Namibia, which have sparked interest from major global players like TotalEnergies and Shell.

He reiterated the importance of balancing domestic energy needs with regional market demands, stating that Europe’s increasing reliance on African gas presents South Africa with a unique opportunity to emerge as a key player in the global energy market.

As the nation grapples with the decline of its coal resources, Mantashe pointed out the necessity of diversifying the energy mix.

“Coal cannot remain the backbone of our energy supply," he noted, citing the environmental degradation caused by coal mining and the growing reluctance of financial institutions to invest in new coal-burning power stations.

Vice President of Hibarri, Cherrylee Samson  states that it is inevitable that South Africa will start to divert to more modern energy production systems.

“The truth is that natural gas emits significantly lower amounts of carbon dioxide than coal when consumed to generate electricity. However, there are concerns within the energy industry that shale gas extraction could undermine goals for cutting emissions if it replaces the use of renewables”, said Samson.

Samson also notes that both natural and shale gases are the most eco-friendly fossil fuels that help our planet's decarbonization, and can be liquefied and stored efficiently.

Director of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas in Austin, Physicist Ray Orbach, notes that shale gas in the coming years will be cheap and plentiful enough to drive out most other sources of electricity; this includes coal, nuclear, and renewables.

South Africa stands at a crossroads, and will need to shift towards renewable energy sources like wind and solar, gas-fired turbines, which are seen as a viable solution to bridge supply gaps.

With a clear vision for the future, South Africa is poised to increase its gas share in the energy mix.

The question remains whether the country will look to international imports or harness its domestic resources, including shale gas and coal-bed methane, to meet its energy demands.

For further information on The International Commodity Summit 2025, including registration details, sponsorship opportunities, and the full agenda, please visit [https://internationalcommoditysummit.com/].

Grecia Mgolombane, Journalist

About the International Commodity Summit 2025

The International Commodity Summit 2025 is a premier event that convenes top economic experts, government officials, and industry leaders from across the globe. This year’s summit specifically addresses the challenges faced due to shifts in U.S. economic policies, with an emphasis on mitigating the negative effects on nations such as South Africa. Participants will engage in rich dialogue, share successful strategies, and foster international cooperation aimed at rebuilding economic stability.