Modern Mining May 2021

MINING News

Green light for South Deep’s 40 MW solar project

Gold Fields Limited’s (JSE, NYSE: GFI) board of direc- tors has given the green light for the construction of a 40 MW solar plant at the South Deep mine in South Africa. This follows the granting of a licence by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa on February 25, 2021. The 40 MW solar plant will generate over 20% of the average electricity consumption of the mine. It will comprise 116 000 solar panels and cover a 118 ha area, roughly the size of 200 soccer fields, and will be on mine property. The estimated capital investment for the plant is R660-million, including contingencies and esca- lation. This will be funded from the mine’s positive cash-flows over the next two years. The use of self-

The solar plant will comprise 116 000 solar panels and cover a 118 ha area.

generated, renewable energy will translate into savings of around R120-million on the cost of electricity a year. South Deep is currently finalising procurement strategies and contractor criteria for the con- struction of the plant, which will begin during Q2 2021. The plant is expected to be commissioned during Q2 2022. Says Gold Fields CEO, Chris Griffith: “We are the first South African mine to build and operate our own solar plant of this scale. This will ensure greater reliability of power supply and reduce the cost of elec- tricity, which currently makes up about 13% of the mine’s operating costs. “Importantly, it will reduce our carbon footprint by around 100,000

Anglo American’s 2020 tax and economic contribution surpasses US$25-billion Anglo American has published its seventh annual Tax and Economic Contribution Report , with a detailed breakdown of the company’s contributions across all its major operating jurisdictions, amounting to more than US$25-billion in 2020. Mark Cutifani, chief executive of Anglo American, says: “Our annual Tax and Economic Contribution Report helps our stakeholders to better understand the breadth of our role in society. The enduring positive impact of a business can only be properly assessed when you consider the total footprint of its contributions. It is with this transparency that we seek to build trust as a corporate leader in our industry – a key pillar of our Sustainable Mining Plan. “The positive contribution we bring to the countries where we operate extends far beyond the taxes and royal- ties we pay. The high quality of employment that we provide and the associated wages, the money we spend with local suppliers, our corporate social investment, and our capi- Some 240 jobs will be created during construction, while a team of 12 people will be required to operate the plant once operational. As far as possible, goods and services required to build the plant will be sourced locally within South Africa. “A broad range of stakeholders stand to benefit more from the mine’s activities. A profitable mine and a sustainable business can continue to employ and develop employees, con- tribute to community development, support the livelihoods of local suppliers and add to the fiscus in the form of taxes and royalties,” says Griffith.  tonnes of CO 2 a year, not only enhancing the sustainability of South Deep but also contributing to Gold Fields’ long-term commitment to carbon neutrality,” Griffith adds. During 2020, renewable electricity averaged 3% of Gold Fields Group’s electricity supply. Once the South Deep project is commissioned, renewables’ contribution to the Group total will rise to approximately 11%.

4  MODERN MINING  May 2021