THE RESOURCEFUL MINING ISSUE | 2021
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
SOUTH DEEP MAKES HISTORY Gold Fields is on course to becoming the first mine in South Africa to build and operate its own solar plant through the South Deep Solar Project. By Dineo Phoshoko
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he 40 MW solar plant will generate over 20% of the average electricity consumption of the mine and will include 116 000 solar panels, covering 118 hectares. The cost of the plant is estimated at R660 million, with construction expected to begin in Q2 2021. Once commissioned during Q2 2022, the selfgenerated renewable energy plant will save the
mine approximately R120 million in electricity costs. Minerals Council South Africa notes that self-generation projects have the potential to contribute significantly towards easing electricity supply constraints in South Africa, while improving the competitiveness of the mining sector by reducing the cost of electricity and the industry’s carbon footprint.
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