Zinc mining in South Africa is becoming more environmentally sound through renewable energy.
Vedanta Mining International, which operates the Black Mountain Mine in the Northern Cape, has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with independent power producer Enernet Global to build, own, operate and maintain a 12 MW direct current solar PV plant at the mine.
The plant will generate about 29 GWh of electricity a year and is scheduled to start operating towards the end of 2024.
According to Vedanta CFO Pushpender Singla, the company ‘is committed to reducing carbon emissions by 35 000 tons and installing 76% renewable energy by 2027. Our goal is carbon neutrality by 2040’.