Elikhulu gold to generate its power from solar plant in Q3 2021
Pan African Resources will start construction of a solar photovoltaic plant at its Evander Mines before the end of March, with first power expected to be generated during the third quarter of the year. The Evander Mines solar photovoltaic plant will improve power reliability, save an expected 26,000 tons of CO2-e, and materially reduce electricity costs at the Elikhulu operation.
The gold producer says the plant will be one of the first of its kind in the SA mining sector. In conjunction with several other projects, it says it also will also underpin its profitability and sustainability.
Pan African Resources has contracted juwi South Africa for the construction of a 9.975MW solar photovoltaic plant on land owned by its Evander Mines. It will utilize bi-facial module technology to maximize its yield. With a total cost of ZAR140 million, the solar project will pay back its investment in less than five years.
The company said it expected operations at Evander Mines’ 8 Shaft pillar to deliver a much-improved performance during the remainder of the 2021 financial year, as the pillar mining activities gathered momentum.
In an operational update, Pan African said Evander increased gold production by 17% to 19,169 ounces in the six months to end-December, contributing to a 5.9% rise in total gold production to 98,386 ounces.
