JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – A R1.5-billion green loan facility secured in 2022 is the significant funding underpin of three solar PV renewable-energy plants being constructed by Harmony Gold at its large Moab Khotsong gold mine in North West province, near Orkney. 

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Harmony anticipates that this latest project will supply about 20% of the peak daytime demand of South African operations once completed in financial year 2026.

The triple solar Phase 2 project, for which required environmental authorisations and permits have been received, will have a combined peak capacity of 100 MW.

“It’s critical we continue to decarbonise whilst lowering our energy supply risk and exposure to above-inflation tariff increases,” outgoing Harmony CEO Peter Steenkamp stated in a release to Mining Weekly. Group COO Beyers Nel will succeed Steenkamp as CEO with effect from January 1.

“Our comprehensive renewable-energy programme will improve our energy mix, as we aim towards becoming carbon net-zero by 2045. The allocation of capital towards such sustainable projects benefits all our stakeholders and will create jobs and sustain economic activity for our host communities,” Steenkamp added.

The engineering, procurement, and construction contract for the solar plants and associated infrastructure, which has been awarded to a joint venture (JV) between OptiPower and the Cox Group, will create employment and procurement opportunities for local host communities within the Matlosana and Moqhaka (Ramolutsi) local municipalities and surrounding areas.

The JV will manage the local procurement process, with preference given to black-owned, black-women-owned and black-youth-owned companies within the local host municipalities. Ongoing maintenance of the facilities will provide permanent job opportunities beyond the construction phase.

The JV will recruit fixed-term employees and where required provide:

• skills development training initiatives for ‘in-service’ students;
• skills development for locally employed staff; and
• on-site enterprise development programmes with successful local companies.

A community liaison officer will be appointed to ensure that a working relationship is established with the contractor, community leaders and other stakeholders amid commitment to empowering local youth and promoting long-term career prospects in the growing renewable-energy sector.

Harmony, in which Dr Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow Minerals is a significant shareholder, is dedicated to improving energy efficiency by establishing effective energy management programmes that support mining operations and help to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.