Name of the Project
Blanket mine solar power project.

Location
Zimbabwe.

Project Owner/s
Caledonia Mining Corporation.

Project Description
The project entails the construction of a 12 MW solar power plant to supply electricity to the Blanket mine.

Once completed, the project is expected to provide about 27% of the mine's total electricity demand.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Caledonia secured the $13-million in required funds for the project in September 2020.

Planned Start/End Date
The project is expected to be commissioned in the last quarter of 2021.

Latest Developments
Caledonia Mining’s Blanket gold mine is operating better than expected and is generating slightly more power than expected.

The plant currently provides about 27% of the mine’s average daily electricity demand. 

In recent months, there has also been a substantial improvement in the supply of power from the Zimbabwe grid, which has considerably reduced the amount of diesel used and the frequency of interruptions to production, Caledonia has reported.

“As an initial early-stage indicator, in January, Blanket consumed 18 000 ℓ of diesel, which compares to approximately 120 000 ℓ a month for the whole of 2022,” CEO Mark Learmonth has noted.

“While we can’t be certain that this quantum of improvement will be fully maintained as the year progresses, we are confident that we will continue to see an ongoing meaningful reduction to our diesel use month on month, fully justifying our investment in solar power and delivering on our environmental, social and governance strategy,” he adds.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Voltalia (contractor).

Contact Details for Project Information
Caledonia Mining Corporation, tel +44 1534 679800 or email info@caledoniamining.com.