Opportunity Issue 103
Opportunity magazine is a niche business-to-business publication that explores various investment opportunities within Southern Africa’s economic sectors. The publication is endorsed by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI).
Opportunity magazine is a niche business-to-business publication that explores various investment opportunities within Southern Africa’s economic sectors. The publication is endorsed by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI).
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Mining companies<br />
are becoming<br />
power generators<br />
Anglo American’s hydrogen-powered truck is a sign of the cleaner power that mining companies are striving for.<br />
Credit: Anglo American<br />
Supply constraints and the need to go green are driving innovation in powering<br />
mining operations.<br />
By John Young<br />
One truck. That’s all it was, one truck. But what a truck<br />
it was! Anglo American announced on 6 May 2022 that<br />
it had unveiled “a prototype of the world’s largest<br />
hydrogen-powered mine haul truck designed<br />
to operate in everyday mining conditions at its<br />
Mogalakwena PGMs mine in South Africa”.<br />
The unveiling of the vehicle was a significant event for mining<br />
and for the energy landscape and is one of many indicators that<br />
mining companies are taking an increased interest in power<br />
generation in South Africa, Africa and around the world.<br />
This interest has manifested in many ways and was<br />
stimulated by the announcement by South African President<br />
Cyril Ramaphosa that the limit on the size of private projects<br />
that did not need to apply for licences would be lifted to 100MW.<br />
This increase in capacity makes investing in a bespoke energy plant<br />
a much more viable economic proposition. Mining companies have<br />
been quick to respond.<br />
The first two 100MW solar PV projects to receive the approval of<br />
the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) are being built<br />
for mining company Tronox Mineral Sands by the Sola Group and<br />
partners. The R3.2-billion project is in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality<br />
in the North West.<br />
Ivanhoe Mines has purchased a stake in Renergen, owner and<br />
developer of a liquified-natural gas (LNG) and helium project<br />
showing great promise in the Free State. Ivanhoe has the exclusive<br />
right to negotiate offtake rights with Renergen for gas to use at its<br />
16 | www.opportunityonline.co.za
Change language