https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Caledonia starts operating solar plant at Blanket mine

14th November 2022

By: Marleny Arnoldi

Online News Editor

     

Font size: - +

Dual-listed Caledonia Mining Corporation’s solar plant at the Blanket gold mine, in Zimbabwe, started operating on November 14 and will soon supply about 27% of the mine’s average daily electricity demand.

The mine, however, still receives the majority of its electricity from Zimbabwe’s State-owned power utility Zesa.

Caledonia took it upon itself to install a 12.2 MW solar plant at the mine to make up for severe power constraints and inconsistent supply in the country, which has had economic and safety implications for the underground mine.

Prior to installation, during outages or low voltages, the company had to supplement with diesel generators to enable uninterrupted mining and capital operations, which comes with its own set of implications on the environment and cost-wise.

“With 21% of Blanket’s on-mine costs relating to energy use, this solar plant is an important project for Caledonia, as it will improve the quality and security of the mine’s electricity supply and provide environmental benefits through cleaner energy.

“The solar power will displace more expensive power from the grid and from the diesel generators, and is expected to reduce Caledonia’s consolidated cost per ounce of gold produced by about $37,” CEO Mark Learmonth explains.

 

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Online Managing Editor

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Showroom

Environmental Impact Management Services
Environmental Impact Management Services

EIMS is an independent specialised environmental consulting firm offering the full spectrum of environmental management services across all sectors...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Craig Miller Technical Services (CMTS)
Craig Miller Technical Services (CMTS)

CMTS is a leading, well-established EC&I contractor with 37+ years of mining and industrial experience. We execute full-scope EC&I projects with...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

sq:0.11 1.147s - 228pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now