mbulelo smpofuNqobile Bhebhe, nqobile.bhebhe@chronicle.co.zw
ZIMPLATS, the country’s largest Platinum Group Metals miner, is making strides in renewable energy with the installation of a 161,2 kW solar system at Mupani Mine’s vehicle parking area.
The system, set to be commissioned in this financial year, is part of the company’s broader initiative to reduce its carbon footprint.
In addition, Zimplats is poised to commission a 35-megawatt solar power plant in the first quarter of this year. This marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s energy sector, which currently requires 1 800MW of electricity, far exceeding the national grid’s 1 300MW output.
The solar plant’s commissioning is crucial given the growing demand for electricity in Zimbabwe.
According to Zimplats’ FY2024 annual report, the mining house aims to continue pursuing renewable and low-carbon energy solutions to improve the security of its electricity supply and reduce its carbon footprint.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) issued an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate for the Selous Solar Power Plant project in December 2022.
The first phase of the project, which will produce 35MWAC, commenced in FY2023 and is expected to operate commercially in Q1 FY2025 after successful testing and commissioning.
“We operate a two-pronged strategy involving solar power projects and direct power importation to ensure availability of adequate power for expansion, tariff stabilisation, and reduce our carbon footprint,” the report states.
Zimplats’ operations are heavily reliant on energy, which contributes to climate change. The firm uses energy from sources such as coal, petrol, and diesel, which have direct emission effects on climate change. To mitigate these effects, Zimplats is importing hydro-electrical energy from Zambia.
The company is also making progress in sustainable water management.
Water recycling decreased from 44 percent in FY2023 to 41 percent in FY2024 due to lower rainfall during the annual rainy season.
Water abstracted from dams and underground sources increased by 15 percent from 7,444 mega litres in FY2023 to 8,253 mega litres in FY2024.
Fresh water consumption increased from 0,99KL per tonne milled in FY2023 to 1,71 KL per tonne milled in FY2024. Zimplats has committed to continuing the rehabilitation of disturbed open pit and tailings dam surfaces.
A total of 9,1 hectares of open pit working areas was rehabilitated during FY2024, and a further 1,2 hectares of the tailings storage facilities were re-vegetated in line with the concurrent rehabilitation programme.
