<P> The largest coal deposits in South Africa are to be found in the Ecca deposits, a stratum of the Karoo Supergroup, dating from the Permian period, between 280 and 250 Ma . The Ecca Group is extensive, covering around two thirds of South Africa (much of it covered by slightly younger rocks - see diagram on the left). Only the northern and north - eastern portion of these Ecca deposits is coal - bearing, but it nevertheless contains more than a third of all coal reserves in the Southern Hemisphere . </P> <P> Notable coalfields are: </P> <Ul> <Li> Waterberg Coalfield </Li> <Li> Highveld Coalfield </Li> <Li> Witbank Coalfield </Li> <Li> Ermelo Coalfield </Li> <Li> Utrecht Coalfield </Li> <Li> Klip River Coalfield </Li> </Ul> <Li> Klip River Coalfield </Li>

Where can coal be found in south africa