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Energy Services News
Eskom highlights financial limitations as it mulls industrial applications for discounted tariffs 
By: Terence Creamer 12th May 2021 State-owned electricity producer Eskom confirms that it has been approached by customers in various industrial sectors with regard to possible applications for discounted Negotiated Pricing Agreements (NPAs), but says its weak financial position prevents widespread implementation. The first NPA... →
‘Right policy changes’ could ignite R150bn in electricity investment by private firms
By: Terence Creamer 10th May 2021 Business Leadership South Africa, which is made up of some of South Africa's largest domestic and multinational companies, estimates that private firms would move to invest billions in new power generation capacity in the near term should the rules governing embedded or distributed plants be... →
Ministerial determination sanctioning private power procurement would spur investment, clear regulatory blockages
By: Terence Creamer 5th May 2021 The chairperson of the South African Independent Power Producer Association (SAIPPA) believes that the quickest and cheapest way to reduce, or eliminate, South Africa’s growth-sapping risk of load-shedding would be for Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe to issue a Ministerial... →
Energy specialist encourages mines to consider hybrid energy systems
By: Simone Liedtke 5th May 2021 Electrical energy solutions provider Senergy energy specialist Wilco de Villiers has encouraged miners to consider the value of implementing hybrid energy systems at their operations, as mines cannot function effectively without reliable energy supply. Speaking during this year’s Energy & Mines... →
African miners note benefits of investing in renewables 
By: Marleny Arnoldi 4th May 2021 The mounting pressure by governments and investors on industries globally to reduce emissions, coupled with favourable economics and the need for reliable and cost efficient power, are increasingly nudging mining companies towards considering renewable energy. TSX- and LSE-listed gold miner... →
Appetite for renewables remains strong, despite economic uncertainties
By: Simone Liedtke 4th May 2021 Despite ongoing economic uncertainties globally, investor appetite for renewables remains strong, with optioned renewable capacity increasing by 15% year-on-year in the nine months from January through to October 2020, compared with the same period the previous year. This sets a new record, juwi... →
Raising distributed generator licence-exemption cap to 10 MW ‘does not go far enough’
By: Terence Creamer 3rd May 2021 Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) says a proposed amendment to Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act, which would raise the licence exemption threshold for private distributed-generation plants from 1 MW to 10 MW, “does not go far enough”. Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede... →
Proposed regulation lifting ‘embedded generation’ licence-exemption cap to 10 MW released for comment
By: Terence Creamer 23rd April 2021 Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has released, for public comment, an amendment to the Electricity Regulation Act, proposing an increase in the licensing-exemption threshold for embedded power generation plants from 1 MW to 10 MW. The Gazette notice, which was published on... →
Energy expert writes to government calling for overhaul of RMIPPPP ahead of July financial close
By: Terence Creamer 19th April 2021 An energy expert has written to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and the Independent Power Producer (IPP) Office to highlight the expensive shortcomings of the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP), which he says should be replaced by a... →
Kibo advances Benga power project with Mozambique energy utility
By: Simone Liedtke 12th April 2021 Africa-focused Kibo Energy and its local joint venture (JV) partners have agreed on the next steps towards the ultimate finalisation of a power purchase agreement (PPA) at the company’s Benga power plant project (BPPP), in Mozambique, following a discussion with Mozambique energy utility... →
Opportunities for mines to decarbonise and South Africa's coal exports to China make headlines
12th March 2021 Mining Weekly Editor Martin Creamer unpacks Royal Bafokeng Platinum's proposed plans to generate its own electricity; China having become the largest importer of South African coal; and the opportunities for miners to invest in green energy and decarbonisation. →
Danakali enthused by wind, solar potential for geothermally-endowed Colluli project
By: Donna Slater 10th March 2021 ASX- and LSE-listed potash developer Danakali, in evaluating the potential of incorporating renewable energy into its 100%-owned Colluli sulphate of potash (SoP) project, in Eritrea, reports early sound feasibility to incorporate wind and/or solar into the project. Danakali is continuing to... →
Mantashe sees new industries emerging from South Africa’s renewables-led drive to boost electricity supply
By: Terence Creamer 3rd March 2021 South Africa’s move to increase electricity generation capacity provided a “unique opportunity” for the development of new industries, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said this week. Addressing delegates virtually during Canada’s annual Prospectors and Developers Association... →
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe
Energy Regulator approves 40 MW solar licence for Gold Fields' South Deep
By: Creamer Media Reporter 25th February 2021 The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) announced on Thursday that the Energy Regulator, at its meeting held on February 25, approved the issuance of a generation licence for a 40 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant to be developed at the South Deep gold mine, in Gauteng. The licence... →
PIC now owns 15% of Exxaro’s shares
By: Simone Liedtke 22nd February 2021 The State-owned Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has increased its shareholding in coal and renewable energy company Exxaro Resources to just over 15.13%, the company announced on February 22. Exxaro is headed by Mxolisi Mgojo and is the only producing mine in the coal-rich Waterberg region... →
Resources Watch
17th February 2021 This week: Vision Blue helping world to achieve green dream with high-return prospects for investors; Alluvial diamond miners outline way to save fast-shrinking industry; And, Generator supplier completing two orders →
Eskom could launch bidding for repurposing and repowering of Komati within two months
By: Terence Creamer 16th February 2021 State-owned power utility Eskom is preparing a pioneering request for proposals (RFP) for the repowering and repurposing of the Komati power station, in Mpumalanga, which is among the first four coal plants scheduled for decommissioning in the coming few years. Eskom just energy transition office... →
‘Green’ trend an opportunity for mining
12th February 2021 Africa’s minerals sector should “seize the opportunities presented by the global transition towards green energy”, experts noted during a virtual webinar on the future of mining in Africa, post-Covid-19. One opportunity lies in growing global demand for lithium, which is used in batteries for... →
Company delivers solar mounting structures to mine
12th February 2021 Solar equipment supplier Valsa Trading announced that it supplied its locally designed and manufactured solar photovoltaic (PV) ground mounting structures to a large mine in the Northern Cape in December. The mounting structures are designed and manufactured to provide a “quick-install, secure... →
Positive progress at ‘mine of the future’
By: Halima Frost 12th February 2021 Global automation company ABB says operators at the Sustainable Underground Mining (SUM) future mine project, have been able to make use of new remote technological systems implemented by the company since September 2020. The SUM project aims to establish a new world standard for sustainable... →
Generator supplier completing two orders
By: Halima Frost 12th February 2021 International power generator supplier Cummins has recently commissioned one mining site and is in the process of commissioning a further site where both system monitoring and control philosophies, were upgraded. The mining sites operate and supply 18 MVA and 5 MVA of prime rated generator power... →
Leon calls on Ramaphosa to announce key changes for mining, energy sectors
By: Simone Liedtke 11th February 2021 Following the Covid-19 pandemic’s “devastating impact” on the South African economy, it is “critical” that President Cyril Ramaphosa identifies what measures the South African government will implement to affect the country’s economic recovery, says Herbert Smith Freehills Africa Group global... →
Nersa subcommittee recommends approval of 40 MW Gold Fields solar licence
By: Terence Creamer 8th February 2021 The National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) electricity subcommittee has recommended that the Energy Regulator approves Gold Fields’ high-profile licence application for a 40 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project to be developed at its South Deep mine, in Gauteng. Nersa has confirmed... →
De Ruyter backs call for lifting of licensing cap on distributed generators to 50 MW
By: Terence Creamer 2nd February 2021 Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter says the State-owned utility is fully supportive of moves by large customers to develop distributed generation plants to power their operations, as well as growing calls to lift the licensing threshold from 1 MW to 50 MW so as to accelerate these investments. South... →
Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter
Embedded generation dynamics shifting from ‘buyer’s to seller’s market’
By: Terence Creamer 2nd February 2021 Market dynamics for embedded generation projects in South Africa have shifted materially over the past 12 months as an increasing number of mines and power-heavy industrial firms moved to install renewable-energy facilities at a time when government is also starting to resume utility scale... →
Africa’s battery potential remains untapped
By: Darren Parker 29th January 2021 Africa’s mining sector holds significant untapped potential for battery-powered equipment, which original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions aims to explore, says Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions MD Simon Andrews. Following the opening of Sandvik Mining and Rock... →
Evaluation of emergency-power bids ‘by February’, with renewables bidding to open in ‘first quarter’
By: Terence Creamer 25th January 2021 The evaluation of the 28 bids received under South Africa’s Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) is anticipated to be concluded by February 2021, the IPP Office has confirmed with Engineering News. The preferred bidders, it adds, will be announced as soon as... →
Raising distributed-generation licensing threshold to 50 MW would unlock at least 5 000 MW in five years, survey shows
By: Terence Creamer 20th January 2021 Lifting the licensing threshold for distributed-generation projects to 50 MW or higher could unlock an estimated 5 000 MW of additional capacity in five years and go a long way to rapidly easing South Africa’s debilitating power supply constraints. This is the conclusion of a Meridian Economics... →
Exxaro appoints independent nonexecutive director
By: Donna Slater 15th January 2021 Diversified miner Exxaro’s board of directors has approved the appointment of independent nonexecutive director Chanda Nxumalo, effective February 1. She has 15 years of experience in the renewable energy and power sector, having worked across North America and Europe gaining experience in... →
M&R subsidiary Clough secures Waitsia Stage 2 construction, engineering contract
By: Donna Slater 11th January 2021 JSE-listed engineering and construction group Murray & Roberts reports that its subsidiary, construction and engineering company Clough, has been awarded a A$400-million contract for an engineering, procurement and construction scope of work on the Waitsia Stage 2 development project in Western... →
Net-zero emissions commitments hold benefits, but also downsides, for miners
By: Simone Liedtke 6th January 2021 Miners are targeting massive carbon reductions over the next 10 to 15 years on the path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with equity research company Jefferies warning that this implies higher costs and capital expenditure (capex), but also a trend of less supply, higher commodity prices,... →
Standard Bank publishes climate-change-mitigating fossil fuels financing policy
By: Donna Slater 10th December 2020 Financial services company Standard Bank Group has published its Fossil Fuels Financing Policy (FFFP) as part of its efforts to improve its management of environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and contribute to the sustainable development of Africa. This follows the 2019 adoption of... →
Report highlights gold mining’s opportunity to achieve net-zero carbon targets
By: Simone Liedtke 9th December 2020 More action is needed over the next decade if net-zero carbon targets are to be feasible, the World Gold Council’s (WGC’s) latest report, titled ‘Gold and Climate Change: The Energy Transition’, highlights. The report, released on December 9, builds on the council’s initial work of the last two... →
Inframid says mines’ energy liabilities can be transformed into assets
By: Marleny Arnoldi 7th December 2020 Since the 2008 energy crisis, mines have responded by implementing energy reduction tactics such as shifting loads to off peak periods, switching to more efficient equipment and implementing better maintenance programmes. While mines are better prepared to operate on reduced power than they... →
Public hearing participant questions Nersa mandate in evolving electricity market
By: Donna Slater 4th December 2020 The National Energy Regulator of South Africa was outdated, and regulation changes were needed to bring it in line with current trends, the only respondent to public hearings into gold miner Gold Fields' application to build a 40 MW solar plant near its mine in Westonaria said on Thursday. Brian... →
Nersa to host public hearing on Gold Fields' South Deep solar plant application
By: Marleny Arnoldi 25th November 2020 NYSE- and JSE-listed Gold Fields’ South Deep mining operation has lodged an application with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) for an electricity generation licence for a proposed 40 MW solar photovoltaic plant at the mine, in Westonaria. Nersa has advised that a public... →
Amplats’ Viljoen, Harmony’s Lekubo listed among world’s top 100 women in mining
By: Donna Slater 19th November 2020 Volunteer nonprofit organisation Women in Mining UK (WIM UK) on November 19 released its biennial 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining (WIM100) edition, which features a number of South Africa nominees. The WIM100, which was launched by WIM UK in 2013, highlights the wealth of female talent... →
Anglo American business improvement projects head and Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA) incoming chairperson Petro du Pisani
High demand for tailings consulting exceeds local capacity
By: Cameron Mackay 13th November 2020 Engineering consultant Knight Piésold is focused on providing technical advice for many local tailings dam facilities, says Knight Piésold technical director for mining services Africa Andrew Copeland. This increase in demand for tailings dam-related consulting can be attributed to several... →
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