Name and Location
Mmamantswe coal-fired power station, Botswana.

Project Description
Australia-based Aviva Corporation has identified a coal resource of 1,3-billion tons, including a probable reserve of 895-million tons, at its Mmamantswe licence area, 70 km north of Gaborone, in Botswana.

The company is considering a ten-million-ton-a-year coal mine to complement a possible 1 000-MW power station with the potential for expansion into export sales.

Coal quality, coal preparation, mine scoping, power generation and transmission studies have all been undertaken. The Mmamantswe coal deposit is ideally positioned between the major infrastructure corridor of Botswana and the South African border.

A power purchase agreement with South Africa’s State-owned power utility, Eskom is possible, considering the project’s close contact with Eskom’s transmission grid and South Africa’s need of consistent power supply.

The power project is also planned to capitalise on the growing demand for power in the Southern Africa Power Pool network.

Value
Not confirmed.

Duration
A timeframe has not been determined.

Client
Aviva Corporation.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

Latest Developments
In November 2010, it was reported that the Mmamantswe power project was unlikely to go ahead, following the release of South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan in early October. Aviva has criticised the document, as it does not make provision for independent coal-fired power until 2027.

Meanwhile, Aviva reports that it has submitted an expression of interest to supply Eskom with 6-million to 12-million tons of coal a year over a 40-year period.

Aviva has, in the interim, completed all the requisite technical studies required to apply for registration of the Mmamantswe project as a subproject of the Botswana Power Corporation. Registration as a subproject of a utility is a requirement for access to the SAPP network.

On Budget and on Time?
The project is still in the planning stages.

Contact Details for Project Information
Aviva Corporation, tel +61 8 9367 2344, fax +61 8 9367 2355 or email info@avivacorp.com.au.