Blanket Mine’s 12,2MW ac solar plant complete

Zim Now Writer

With load-shedding continuously compromising production, Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC, has brought its new 12.2 MWac solar power plant at its Blanket Mine near Gwanda on stream.

Blanket Mine currently receives its power from power utility Zesa Holdings, which presented safety and economic implications for the gold miner during outages.

This forced the firm to resort to standby diesel generators to enable uninterrupted mining and capital operations. However, diesel-generated electricity is expensive and creates an unfavourable environmental footprint.

Caledonia started constructing the 12.2 MWac solar plant late in 2021 and is expected to provide about 27 percent of the mine’s average daily electricity demand.

“I am delighted that the solar plant is connected to the Blanket grid and from today Blanket will start to receive some of its energy directly from solar,” Caledonia chief executive Officer Mark Learmonth said.

Learmonth added that 21 percent of Blanket’s on-mine costs relate to energy usage, making the solar plant investment a very important project for the company.

“It will improve the quality and security of Blanket’s electricity supply and provide environmental benefits through cleaner energy. The solar power will displace more expensive power from the grid and from the diesel generators and is expected to reduce Caledonia’s consolidated cost per ounce of gold produced by approximately US$37.”