JSE-listed platinum group metals (PGMs) miner Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) has selected the Pele Green Energy – EDF Renewables South Africa consortium as the preferred supplier to build a 100 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant at its Mogalakwena mine, in Limpopo.

Pele Green Energy develops, owns, procures, builds and operates renewable energy power projects, while EDF Renewables South Africa has global expertise in renewable energy technologies such as wind, solar PV and battery storage.

Construction of the PV plant will start in the fourth quarter of 2022 and it is expected to be operational by the end of 2023. It forms part of Amplats' goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations by 2040.

Amplats has included a 10% free carry, which has no requirement to contribute equity capital for the shares, equity ownership into the consortium that will build, own and operate the facility for the life of the plant. This is designed to result in dividends attributable directly to the company's host communities over time, it said in an October 6 statement.

“Our selection of Pele Green Energy – EDF Renewables South Africa gives us further momentum towards our environmental goals set out in our Sustainable Mining Plan, designed specifically to drive business efficiency, resilience and agility,” said Amplats CEO Natascha Viljoen.

“We are particularly excited about the prospect of using plentiful solar energy to produce green hydrogen at Mogalakwena, as part of a broader project to convert our mine haul trucks to run on zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells.

“Not only will this reduce our environmental footprint, but these technologies rely on PGMs, which are an essential component in proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and PEM hydrogen electrolysers. In turn, this could stimulate additional future demand for PGMs as these technologies roll-out,” she highlighted.

“[The consortium is] excited to progress this project in the renewable energy industry, while creating lasting social impact. We look forward to being part of Amplats' significant carbon neutrality strategy,” Pele Green Energy MD Gqi Raoleka said on behalf of the consortium.