https://www.miningweekly.com

Event a gold mine for energy solutions

24th February 2017

By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Senior Contributing Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

Mining companies operating in Africa continue to recognise the need to go off-grid, find energy solutions that ensure they do not depend on an outside source and acquire renewable-, cleaner-energy solutions for a more sustainable future, in spite of the tough economic climate, says Africa Energy Indaba MD Liz Hart.

The stability of grid-based energy supply to mining jurisdictions in Africa depends on the extent to which a country has maintained and developed its energy infrastructure to ensure the security of supply necessary to maintain mining operations.

Hart tells Mining Weekly that, as energy is a significant input resource and cost in the energy- intensive mining industry, the performance and profitability of mining greatly depend on adequate, reliable and affordable power.

To ensure the stable supply of power to operations, some mining companies are turning to cogeneration, and some operations are using solar and small-scale wind farms to support their office and workshop energy needs, with diesel generators the most common technology employed.

Developing trends also include mining companies’ exploring new technologies to supply power at an affordable rate to support security of supply.

“The cost of power can determine whether a mine will remain operational or close down, should it be unable to afford the power tariff. The impact of a mine being shuttered is significant, resulting in the loss of jobs, impacts on sustained economic development in remote areas in Africa (where many mines are located) and an increase in poverty.”

Every year, the Africa Energy Indaba conference and exhibition have a theme dedicated to unlocking energy solutions for the continent to empower its citizens, grow business and promote prosperity. The 2017 event will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg, on September 21 and 22.

This year’s theme, ‘Energy solutions today – powering tomorrow’, will explore the various sectors across the energy spectrum – from gas and nuclear to renewables, and across stakeholder groups, inclusive of mining.

Hart says a host of speakers aligned with energy solution services and opportunities applicable to the mining sector have been lined up for the ninth Africa Energy Indaba, adding that good attendance is expected by representatives of the mining industry.

She points out that the event will provide mining operations with the opportunity to explore diversification in the energy sector while informing them of new technologies that can aid the security of power supply and potentially reduce energy-related costs.

“Energy is viewed as the next major growth opportunity in Africa and, thus, many mining companies, mining consultants and associated service providers are expanding their operations into the energy sector to sustain and grow their businesses,” says Hart.

She notes that investing in energy solutions for the continent in tough economic times is “mandatory and absolutely necessary”. With Africa’s growing population and increased demand for energy, she postulates that the conference is a critical platform to engage, meet the right people and broker energy deals that ultimately provide energy for the continent’s people and create economic opportunities.

Hart says it is imperative that Africa seizes the opportunity for growth. “It has the resources to unlock its energy potential and we are here to bring together the people and rainmakers who can make this happen.”

She adds that the event will showcase the solutions that businesses and governments need to provide a more equitable and profitable future for all Africans. It will also attract investors, politicians and energy luminaries to envision, collaborate and catalyse the decisions that will unlock and unblock access to energy and, thereby, growth and prosperity.

Renewable-energy solutions, alternative sources of energy and energy management solutions for mining operations will be exhibited and focused sessions will provide African governments with the opportunity to identify high-priority renewable-energy projects.

These projects will subsequently accelerate project delivery to ensure access to energy for people through the Sustainable Energy for All project, which was established in September 2015. Hart says part of the project requires that all governments undertake to deliver an action agenda and investor prospectus, identifying high-priority projects.

These governments will present their respective investor prospectuses at the event. Of these, 11 African countries are posited to present their prospectuses of available projects, she concludes.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

Comments

The content you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION