As Africa’s mining industry continues to expand – under efforts to supply the world with critical minerals needed for the energy transition – the integration of renewable energy within operations has the potential to address environmental concerns, while generating significant cost savings in the long term. In South Africa alone, mining companies are poised to invest up to $3.8 billion in renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 6,500 MW in the coming years.
FQM Solar PV Park and Wind Farm – 430 MW
In March 2022, renewable energy producer Total Eren and transitional energy group Chariot Energy announced a partnership with mining company First Quantum Minerals (FQM) to construct a 230 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) facility and 200 MW wind farm. Power from the two projects will support FQM’s Kansanshi and Sentinel mines in Zambia, which accounts for more than 50% of the country’s total copper production. On track to commence commercial operation by 2026, the solar facility and wind farm are poised to reduce FQM’s carbon footprint by 30% once operational.
Juwi Solar and Wind Projects – 400 MW
Solar, wind and hybrid project developer Juwi Renewable Energies announced in June 2023 that it has 400 MW of engineering, procurement and construction projects in advanced stages of development for mines in South Africa. The announcement came shortly after the financial close of the 89 MW Castle Wind project in the Northern Cape, which will power diversified miner Sibanye-Stillwater’s mining operations in the province. The project is expected to start operations in early-2025.
Tronox Wind and Solar Plants – 400 MW
Earlier this month, titanium dioxide producer Tronox announced a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with integrated energy utility NOA Group for the development of wind and solar power plants with a combined capacity of 200 MW. Expected to be fully implemented by 2027, renewable energy from the power plants will power Tronox’s mines and smelters in South Africa. This comes after the start of construction last April of a pair of 100 MW solar farms in Lichtenburg, North West province, which is being developed by solar PV company SOLA Group and will also be used to power Tronox’s South African mining operations.
Seriti Wind Power Station – 155 MW
Mining conglomerate Seriti Resources and its renewable energy subsidiary Seriti Green has started construction of a 155 MW wind power generation facility in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Power generated from the project will be used for Seriti Resources’ coal mining operations in the country and represents the first phase of a 900 MW pipeline of renewable power stations under development by its subsidiary. With a reported construction budget of $234 million, the plant is expected to start operations by 2025.
Richards Bay Minerals – 140 MW
South African mining company Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) recently inked a 140 MW Power Purchase Agreement that will utilize green energy from the Khangela Emoyeni Wind Farm to power mining operations in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. The agreement was signed earlier this month between RBM, renewable energy developer African Clean Energy Developments, equity fund IDEAS Fund, investment holding company Reatile Group and finance corporation Rand Merchant Bank.
African Rainbow Minerals Solar Plant – 135 MW
Last September, South African mining company African Rainbow Minerals reached an agreement with local commercial banks ABSA, Standard Bank, DBSA and Nedbank to provide finance for the construction of a 132 MW solar project in the North West province. The project, which is being implemented in partnership with construction company WBHO, PV company Trina Solar, SOLA Group and African Rainbow Minerals, will provide renewable energy to platinum mining projects in South Africa through a long-term PPA.
