A
public-private
partnership
has
resulted
in
a
solar
energy
project
being
set
up
at
a
major
mining
house
in
Zimbabwe.
Last
week,
President
Emmerson
Mnangagwa
officially
commissioned
the
expanded
smelter
and
first
phase
of
a
large-scale
solar
plant
at
Zimbabwe
Platinum
Mines
(Zimplats).
Speaking
at
the
Selous
Metallurgical
Complex
in
Ngezi,
Mashonaland
West,
Mnangagwa
hailed
the
dual
projects
–
a
$360
million
expanded
smelter
and
a
35MWac
solar
plant
–
as
a
testament
to
strategic
collaboration
between
government
and
the
private
sector.
The
developments
form
part
of
Zimplats’
broader
$1.8
billion
expansion
programme,
set
to
run
through
2031,
which
also
includes
a
base
metal
refinery,
additional
mining
developments
and
a
total
185MW
of
installed
solar
capacity.
Senior
Executive
Vice
President,
Afreximbank
Group,
Denys
Denya,
speaks
to
ESI
Africa
about
the
critical
need
of
prioritising
the
interests
and
well-being
of
local
mining
communities
in
the
extraction
and
processing
of
Africa’s
mineral
resources
“These
developments
are
a
remarkable
milestone
in
Zimbabwe’s
quest
for
industrial
advancement,
energy
self-sufficiency
and
environmental
sustainability.
“They
demonstrate
Zimplats’
commitment
to
remaining
a
strategic
partner
in
our
national
Vision
2030,”
Mnangagwa
was
quoted
by
the
Zimbabwe
Broadcasting
Corporation
as
saying.
The
38MW
smelter
expansion,
completed
in
December
2024,
triples
the
mine’s
smelting
capacity
and
is
designed
to
enhance
processing
efficiency
while
reducing
energy
costs
and
environmental
impact.
Meanwhile,
the
35MWac
solar
plant
–
occupying
106
hectares
–
represents
Phase
1A
of
Zimplats’
larger
renewable
energy
strategy
to
reduce
emissions
and
ensure
stable
power
supply
to
its
operations.
Zimplats,
a
subsidiary
of
South
Africa’s
Impala
Platinum
Holdings
(Implats),
is
the
country’s
largest
producer
of
platinum
group
metals
(PGMs).
As
a
heavy
energy
consumer,
the
company
said
it
has
committed
to
reducing
its carbon
footprint through
a
two-pronged
approach
involving solar power
development
and
direct
importation
of
cleaner
hydropower
from Zambia.
“Locally
supplied
energy,
largely
generated
from
thermal
sources,
contributes
significantly
to
carbon
emissions.
Our
aim
is
to
migrate
to
cleaner, renewable
energy sources
and
maintain
an
optimal
energy
mix
comprising
solar,
hydroelectric
and
local
grid
power,”
Zimplats
noted
in
its
2024
Integrated
Annual
Report.
Energy
shortage
woes
in
Zimbabwe
In
recent
years,
Zimbabwe
has
faced
recurrent
power
shortages,
with loadshedding disrupting
industrial
production
and
household
consumption.
According
to
the
World
Bank,
only
around
49.6%
of
Zimbabwe’s
population
had
access
to electricity as
of
2021.
Mnangagwa
also
emphasised
the
critical
role
of
mining
in
Zimbabwe’s
economic
transformation.
“With Zimbabwe among
the
top
countries
in platinum reserves,
it
is
commendable
that
the
sub-sector
is
well-coordinated
with
clear
and
achievable
benchmarks
for
success.
“The
generation
that
comes
after
us
should
be
able
to
thank
us
for
creating
a
legacy
that
benefits
generations
to
come,”
he
said.
Mining
remains
one
of
Zimbabwe’s
top-performing
sectors,
contributing
around
12%
to
GDP,
as
well
as
foreign
currency
earnings
and
employment.
The
President
reiterated
that
projects
such
as
Zimplats’
expansion
should
deliver
not
only
macroeconomic
gains
but
also
tangible
benefits
for
communities,
including
jobs,
skills
development
and
improved infrastructure.
Post
published
in:
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