'It's a frightening thought': How mining companies are preparing for a total grid collapse

Grid collapse. It's a chilling notion for any South African, and the country's largest mining companies are no exception.

In the event of a grid collapse, there will be a cascading impact on national infrastructure – like telecommunications, transport, water, sewerage, fuel pipelines, banking, and food – and the potential for wide-scale public unrest could also potentially impede supply restoration efforts.

Unlike in Europe or North America, there is limited support from electricity networks of neighbouring countries, and the recovery of the South African grid will depend on internal preparations. If a full black start is required, complete restoration of the national grid will likely take at least two weeks.