Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) and chrome miner Tharisa Minerals has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) for the procurement of wheeled renewable energy for the Tharisa Mine in South Africa’s western limb of the Bushveld Complex.
It said the 15-year agreement with Etana Energy Proprietary will see Etana provide up to 44% of the Tharisa Mine’s electricity energy demand via wheeled energy from wind and solar farms in the Western Cape and Northern Cape using the existing electricity transmission grid.
The wheeled energy is planned to come on stream in 2026 and it will complement the Tharisa Mine’s 40 MW solar power plant being developed by TotalEnergies Renewables South Africa Proprietary and Chariot Transitional Power South Africa, which is designed to provide 30% of its energy needs.
The transaction will allow Tharisa Mine to manage its power costs better and benefit from the renewable energy certificates arising from the transaction.
“This second major renewable energy project is the natural progression in our quest to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel driven energy and a major component of creating the sustainable resources company of the future,” said Tharisa executive special projects Lucien Matthews.
“With established partners in the renewable energy space, I am certain we will not only meet but exceed our carbon reduction targets both in quantum and in terms of our set timeline of 2030.”
Tharisa seeks to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% by 2030.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
