Renewable energy will soon power the operations of QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM), Rio Tinto’s operation in the Anosy region of south-eastern Madagascar which produces ilmenite, a major source of titanium dioxide. Rio Tinto has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with CrossBoundary Energy for a renewable energy plant comprising an 8 MW solar facility and a 12 MW wind energy facility for QMM’s mining and processing operations on a build-own-operate basis. (BusinessWire)
The project will supply all of QMM’s electricity demand during peak generation times, and up to 60 percent of the operations’ annual electricity consumption. QMM will replace the majority of the power it currently supplies to the town of Fort Dauphin and the community of around 80,000 people with renewables.
The plant will have nine wind turbines and more than 18,000 solar panels. To ensure stability of supply, a lithium-ion battery energy system of 8.25 MW capacity will also be installed.
“It is a major step forward on our journey towards a truly sustainable mine, that protects and promotes the uniqueness of Madagascar’s environment and benefits the community with reliable and clean electricity,” said QMM President Ny Fanja Rakotomalala.
The mine is a JV between Rio Tinto (80%) and the government of Madagascar (20%).
Construction of the renewable energy plant will commence this year. Rio Tinto’s operations in Madagascar are committed to carbon-neutrality by 2023.
Read the Rio Tinto statement HERE.
Image Source: Rio Tinto