Rio Tinto, Voltalia to Supply Solar Power to Richards Bay Minerals

South African mineral company Richard’s Bay Minerals (RBM) has said that it will be supplied with renewable solar power through an agreement with international energy company in France, Voltalia and local Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) partners. The solar power will be employed for the operations at KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

RBM is also exploring additional renewable solutions to further reduce its emissions in South Africa and contribute to the country’s net zero commitment.

RMB said that under the agreement, Voltalia will begin construction of the Bolobedu Solar PV renewable energy project in 2023 in the Limpopo province. The solar project will be complete by 2024 and will deliver an annual generation capacity of up to 300GWh.

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It will feed into the national power grid to supply smelting and processing facilities of RBM through a wheeling agreement, informed the mineral firm. The renewable power supply is expected to cut RBM’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10 per cent, or 237kt CO2 emission per year.

Sinead Kaufman, CEO, Rio Tinto Minerals, said, “The agreement, which is a first step towards reducing RBM’s carbon emissions, is a major milestone and one that is in line with Rio Tinto’s decarbonisation strategy.”

Sébastien Clerc, CEO, Voltalia, added, ” The Bolobedu photovoltaic power plant will be our biggest project in Africa, after performing construction of a series of other solar plants for us or for clients, in the continent (Zimbabwe, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Mauritania and Egypt).” He said that the solar project is their first large one in South Africa.

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A total workforce of more than 700 people is expected during construction, with a workforce of around 50 people once the plant becomes operational. The project will also provide skills development opportunities for members of the surrounding communities, and a bursary programme for young local learners.

The Bolobedu Solar PV power plant will be 51 per cent black-owned through BEE partners, with a minimum 10 per cent stake going to black women, while the host community will also have participation.