Speaking to Energy and Mines, Cobus Loots, CEO, Pan African Resources said the company’s renewable energy initiatives would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance business sustainability through cost efficiencies, and cut production downtime due to grid disruptions.
Pan African is a mid-tier gold producer with its operations in South Africa. The country’s industry is heavily dependent for energy on fossil/coal generated power plants run by state utility Eskom. However, the South African government now allows private producers to build renewable energy plants of up to 100 MW.
“We believe that increasing use of renewable energy by major consumers will ultimately reduce demand from fossil fuel power stations and the resultant positive impact on pollution levels will have a positive effect on climate change,” said Loots. “We intend to do our part and increase our renewable energy footprint.”
The gold miner is hoping to commission its first 10 MW solar plant at the Evander site (pictured above) in early 2022, and is already planning to scale the facility to 26 MW. It is expecting to soon wrap up a feasibility study for a 10 MW solar plant at its Barberton Mine.
“The solar power generation takes care of our daytime operational energy requirements to a large extent,” said Loots. “Energy storage solutions will be the next step towards optimising the solar energy strategy.”
The CEO also said the company’s key stakeholders expected the company to reduce the negative impact of mining on the environment, at all levels.
In this regard, Loots affirmed that Pan African is a progressive mining company committed to a “beyond compliance” approach with its ESG initiatives.
Source: Energy and Mines, January 2022, Issue 38
Image Source: Pan African Resources