CEO Interview:
Cobus Loots, CEO, Pan African Resources
M
id-tier miner Pan African Resources is a South African gold producer with both surface and underground operations. They have a stated commitment to reduce energy consumption and shift to renewable energy sources. CEO Cobus Loots here explains their solar plans and response to their broader ESG initiatives.
“We intend to do our part and increase our renewable energy footprint.”
COBUS LOOTS CEO
PAN AFRICAN RESOURCES
Energy and Mines: How is the focus on climate change and ESG driving energy decisions for your operations? Cobus Loots: Our operations are all located in South Africa, which has a legacy of sourcing its energy requirements from fossil/coal generated power plants operated by state utility Eskom. The energy mix has therefore relied predominantly on these (initially cheaply available) fossil fuels. We believe that increasing use of renewable energy by major consumers will ultimately reduce demand from fossil fuel power stations and the resultant positive impact on pollution levels will have a positive effect on climate change. We intend to do our part and increase our renewable energy footprint. Pan African Resources’ energy strategy is to diversify its energy mix over time, and progress towards decarbonisation through the increased use of renewable energy options that will benefit both the environment, through significantly reduced GHG emissions, and our long-term business sustainability through cost efficiencies. Energy consumption accounts for ~30% of our total production costs and feasibility studies have demonstrated that power
18
ENERGY AND MINES MAGAZINE
