Name of the Project
Zondereinde smelter solar photovoltaic (PV) project.

Location
Limpopo, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Platinum group metals mining company Northam Platinum Holdings Limited.

Project Description
Northam has started with the development of an 11 MW solar energy plant to provide electricity for the group’s metallurgical facilities at the Zondereinde mine complex in Limpopo.

The plant is expected to operate at significantly lower electricity costs than what is currently paid to State-owned power producer Eskom.

However, Northam CEO Paul Dunne has said the company is “reliant on Eskom, and that is unlikely to change”, but that Northam can supplement Eskom with PV “at quite an attractive cost”.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
Commissioning is expected in 2023.

Latest Developments
The design and permitting phases for the installation are in progress, and earthworks are planned to start before the end of the current calendar year.

The previously planned 11 MW facility has been subsumed into this larger project.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
R&A Strategic Communications, on behalf of Northam Platinum, tel +27 11 880 3924 or email northam@rasc.co.za.