Modern Mining July 2023

SUSTAINABLE MINING

Pan African targets 50% renewable energy Gold miner, Pan African Resources, which is on an aggressive renewable energy drive, is looking to lift its clean energy consump tion from 5% to at least 30% by 2030, Investor Relations head, Hethen Hira, tells Modern Mining. By Nelendhre Moodley .

T he mid-tier African miner has a production capacity of 200 000 oz gold per annum with some projects in its portfolio that have been operational since the 1920s. It spends a sig nificant portion on electricity and, according to Hira, after labour costs, electricity is the next biggest outlay. Power costs for Pan African’s highly mechanised surface operations account for between 10% and 12% of all-in-sustaining-cost (AISC), while the more labour and energy intensive underground mines account for between 20% and 25% at current Eskom tariffs. The company’s assets include Barberton Mines, high-grade underground operations comprising Fairview, Consort and Sheba mines; the Barberton Tailings Retreatment Plant (BTRP); and Evander Gold Mining, made up of the Evander underground and surface assets (shaft headgears and metallurgical plants) as well as the Elikhulu Tailings Retreatment Plant. In May 2022, the gold miner was the first South African mining company to successfully commission a utility-scale, grid-tied solar PV plant with Evander Mines’ 10 MW AC (12 MW P ) solar PV renewable energy facility (Evander solar facility). The EPC works for the project were completed by JUWI, a leading interna tional solar, wind and hybrid project developer. “Our main aim is to ensure security of energy

Hethen Hira with Juwi site manager at the Evander solar plant – Shafts 7 and 7A behind.

“Aside from further wheeling considerations and battery storage options, we are also considering wind energy options,” says Hira.

supply. However, as a responsible mining house, our focus is also on lowering our carbon footprint, which talks to being environmentally responsible. Aside from reducing costs, and thereby improving margins and increasing sustainability around our mines, and ensuring that the lives of our mines are extended, our objective is also to contribute to the economy through employment creation and delivering a better operating environment. Importantly, when our opera tions reach the end of their mining life, the renewable energy drive sets us up for electricity supply to the eventual benefit of the country,” explains Hira. Although the JSE-listed entity’s renewable energy output is currently at around 5%, scheduled ramp up of self-generated solar projects and from PPAs will contribute more than 30%, or 80 mega watts, of the Group’s energy mix by 2025 and target up to 50% by 2030 with expansions to current facili ties and other PPAs. In addition, given that mines operate 24/7, the company is seeking clean energy options for use during night time hours, and is engaging with indus try specialists on battery storage technology. “Aside from further wheeling considerations and battery storage options, we are also considering wind energy options,” says Hira. Renewable Energy initiatives Pan African’s renewable energy roadmap to decar bonisation includes:  The construction of its 10 MW AC Evander solar PV facility, the first utility-scale, grid-tied solar PV plant to be commissioned in South Africa.  The construction of an 8.75 MW AC solar PV facility at Fairview Mines.  The entering into of the 40 MW AC Sturdee Energy PPA for the provision of wheeled power over a period of up to 15 years.  The development and construction of a second solar PV facility with a minimum output of 12 MW AC

Evander solar plant with Twin Shaft 7 and 7a and Elikhulu plant in the background.

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24  MODERN MINING  July 2023