PAN African Resources is committed to reducing our carbon footprint and investing in renewable energy. That’s why we have invested in a new solar photovoltaic renewable energy plant at Elikhulu, which begins producing clean power in 2021.
Our philosophy to optimising our energy profile:
- Achieving internal environmental targets to reduce our carbon footprint and reduce the impact of our operations on climate change
- Diversifying our energy portfolio with increasing investment in renewable, modern energy at all our operations
- Replacement of older motors and compressor machinery with more efficient and lower-emission technologies
- Recognising that environmental sustainability is key to PAN African’s long-term business sustainability
Discover how we’re Mining for a future
Learn more about our new solar plant and the milestone it represents for the future of renewable energy in the mining industry.
Tapping into solar power
Our new US$ 8.1 million-solar plant will provide 10 MW of clean energy to the Elikhulu Tailings Retreatment Plant, meeting up to 30% of its annual power requirements and significantly reducing its greenhouse gas footprint.
Following the positive findings of an independent bankable feasibility study, and the successful acquisition of various permits and consents required for the plant, construction commenced in 2020 and is scheduled to be commissioned and begin producing power in the third quarter of 2021.
In addition to being an important pillar of our environmental strategy, the plant also helps improve the Pan African’s energy reliability, while reducing exposure to increasing bulk power costs meaning reduced production costs over the longer term.
At PAN African, we’re all about innovation. Our solar PV plant will be one of the first utility scale solar PV facilities to be commissioned in the South African mining industry.
Key facts:
- The plant uses polycrystalline module technology, string inverters and a single-axis tracking mounted system
- It will generate electricity at ZAR0.83/kWh – significantly cheaper than bulk power
- 1 hours (avg.) generation hours per day
- 100 jobs created during construction
- Expected minimum life of 20 years
- Estimated cost: US$8.1 million
Additional energy initiatives
Following the recent announcement by the South African government that allows private consumers to generate up to 100 MW of electricity, the Group is seeking expand our renewable energy capacity in the coming years.
In addition to our commitment to sustainable and renewable energy, we also respond to other areas where we can reduce total emissions, such as in trackless machinery and other means of ore transport.
We are implementing latest technology, energy efficiency initiatives such as high-efficiency motors and compressors to reduce energy consumption.
The Group closely monitors and tracks greenhouse gas emissions across our operations, and disclose our carbon emissions as prescribed by the promulgated carbon tax regulations, reporting a nil tax payment in 2020.
The Elikhulu solar plant will reduce CO2 emission by over 26 000 tonnes per year.
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