Söhail Réaumur-Anderson - The Socioeconomic Impacts of Coal Mine Decline on Micro-Enterprises and Local Communities in Witbank and Secunda, South Africa

Söhail’s research in International Development examines how the decline and restructuring of coal mining in Mpumalanga, South Africa, are reshaping micro-enterprises, employment relations, livelihoods and local communities. He focuses on two major coal-dependent areas, Witbank (Emalahleni) and Secunda, which represent contrasting trajectories within South Africa’s changing coal economy. Witbank is experiencing gradual mine decline, closures and economic restructuring, while Secunda remains an active coal-production and petrochemical centre but is increasingly affected by mechanisation and longer-term decarbonisation pressures.By comparing these two areas, he investigates how coal-dependent local economies respond to different stages of economic transition. Rather than focusing only on directly employed mineworkers, his research centres on micro-enterprises (SMEs/MEs), including formal and informal businesses that depend directly or indirectly on mining contracts, transport networks, supply chains and the spending power of coal-sector workers. This broader perspective makes it possible to understand how changes in the coal industry spread through local economies and affect employment, household livelihoods and community stability.

The project addresses three interconnected questions: how coal decline reshapes micro-enterprises, employment relations and livelihood strategies; how governance instruments such as Social and Labour Plans (SLPs) and Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) support local businesses and communities; and how economic restructuring affects social vulnerability, institutional trust and social cohesion. Together, these questions connect changes within local businesses to the wider social and institutional consequences of the energy transition.

Methodologically, the research combines extensive fieldwork with documentary analysis. The empirical research includes interviews with micro-enterprise owners and managers, focus groups in Witbank and Secunda, and key-informant interviews with municipal officials, policymakers, mining-sector representatives, community and traditional leaders, NGOs, social workers and other relevant stakeholders. This is complemented by systematic analysis of SLPs, IDPs and mining-company documents. By comparing official commitments with experiences on the ground, Soehail examines whether government and corporate policies are effectively responding to the socioeconomic consequences of coal decline.
The research is situated within South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET). It examines not only whether the transition away from coal takes place, but also who benefits, who bears the costs, and what realistic alternatives are available to coal-dependent communities and businesses. In particular, Soehail investigates whether affected communities and micro-enterprises are meaningfully included in decision-making and whether policies supporting economic diversification, reskilling and entrepreneurship provide viable alternatives to coal-dependent livelihoods.

Söhail's research findings are intended to contribute to more place-sensitive, inclusive and socially just transition policies by showing how the energy transition is experienced at the level of businesses, households and communities. The research therefore contributes to wider debates on sustainable development, labour and energy justice, regional economic restructuring, social cohesion and the role of extractive industries in shaping South Africa’s post-apartheid socioeconomic future.

Beyond South Africa, the project has broader relevance for global development policy. As resource-dependent regions around the world face decarbonisation and industrial restructuring, Mpumalanga provides an important case for understanding how such transitions can promote economic diversification while protecting livelihoods, reducing social vulnerability and maintaining community stability and human dignity.