INFRASTRUCTURE NEWS
FROM AROUND THE CONTINENT
ZAMBIA 430 MW renewable power for mining operations
TANZANIA Dodoma Resilient and Sustainable Water Development and Sanitation Programme The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a US$125.3 million (R1.84 billion) loan to cover the construction of a dam and water treatment plant to address supply challenges in Dodoma City and the towns of Bahi, Chemba and Chamwino. The programme aims to improve water supply for multipurpose use by developing water resources for the four towns. It is expected to enhance access to potable water for two million people and provide better sanitation ser vices for about 1.5 million people by 2051. Around 52% of the beneficiaries will be female. It will also ensure the sustainability of the water resources with related improved community management by catchment protection and management and build resilience against climate change and variability. The construction and operation of the dam and the water treatment plant will create more than 640 jobs (140 permanent and 500 temporar y). The AfDB is financing 94% of the $132.9 million (R1.95 billion) estimated cost of the first phase. The Tanzanian government will provide counterpar t funding of the remaining 6%. The Ministr y of Water will execute the programme.
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IMIESA April 2022
Africa-focused energy firm Chariot Ltd and French power producer Total Eren have struck a deal with First Quantum Minerals that will facilitate the construction of a 430 MW renewable power complex for the Canadian miner’s operations in Zambia. The par tnership will see the mining and metals company receive electricity from locally based wind and solar power capacity. Aligned with First Quantum Minerals’ goal for a 30% reduction of its carbon dioxide emissions by 2025, the contract was signed following an agreement between Chariot and Total Eren to jointly develop wind and solar projects for mining customers in Africa. Construction of the wind-solar complex is planned to be initiated in 2023. The total investment in the project will be US$500 million (R7.33 billion). Currently, most of the power supply to Zambia’s mining sector comes from hydropower plants.
LESOTHO Infrastructure development projects to revive economy In an effor t to revive the economy, the government of Lesotho – through the Ministr y of Foreign Affairs – has identified a number of infrastructure development projects. The projects include the construction of roads, bridges, hydropower stations and rural electrification through publicprivate par tnerships. Lesotho, like other countries of the world, has suffered challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, where many families lost their loved ones and their means of livelihood, while the economy has also suffered tremendous shocks as a result of successive lockdowns that had to be imposed in an effor t to fight the spread of Covid-19. Fur thermore, heavy rainfalls have led to extensive damage to infrastructure – which includes roads, bridges and electricity supply lines – and a number of villages have been cut off from essential ser vices such as schools, healthcare facilities and more.
