Name of the Project
Elikhulu solar photovoltaic (PV) power project.

Location
Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Pan African Resources.

Project Description
Pan African has approved the development of a 10 MW solar PV project at the plant of its Evander Mines.

The solar PV plant will use bifacial module technology to maximise its yield and will be built on previously disturbed land owned by Evander Mines. The plant will provide an estimated 30% of the Elikhulu Tailings Retreatment Plant’s power requirement during daylight hours and is expected to materially reduce electricity costs at this operation.

The project will prevent the emission of more than 26 000 t of carbon dioxide in the first year of its operation.

The gold miner is also assessing the merits of expanding the Evander Mines’ solar PV plant in future to provide a clean energy feed for its Egoli project, as well as the potential to build a similar solar PV plant at the group’s Barberton Mines.

Potential Job Creation
The project is expected to create job opportunities in local communities.

Capital Expenditure
R140-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Construction on the solar PV plant will start in the first quarter of 2021, with first power expected in the third quarter.

Latest Developments
juwi South Africa has been appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the solar PV plant in the first quarter of 2021. Civil engineering works have started and major components procured. Commissioning is expected in the third quarter of 2021.

The solar PV will provide an estimated 30% of Elikhulu’s power requirements, resulting in a reduction of fossil fuel-generated power.

A feasibility study for a similar solar PV plant at Barberton Mines is being undertaken.

The possibility also exists that the Elikhulu solar plant could be expanded by an estimated 15 MW to produce power for Pan African’s Egoli project.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Arup (bankable feasibility study); juwi South Africa (EPC); Green Yellow; DRA; Building Energy; Scatec Solar; Sturdee Energy; Clean Energy Africa.

Contact Details for Project Information
Pan African Resources, Juanita Maijsen, tel + 27 11 243 2900 or email ExecPA@paf.co.za.