Page 10 - AfrElec Week 12 2022

AfrElec RENEWABLES AfrElec

First Quantum to run its Zambia

copper mines on solar, wind

ZAMBIA FIRST Quantum Minerals Ltd (FQM), a Can- project’s energy mix reaches its production peak
ada-headquartered international mining com- during the dry season when the country is most
pany focussing on copper, plans to harness solar exposed to droughts. Increasing the share of
and wind energy to power its two copper mines renewables will improve the country’s carbon
in Zambia, the company has announced. footprint and address current and future chal-
Total Eren, owned by French major TotalEn- lenges related to climate change,” Domel said.
ergies and London-listed Chariot, will fund the Frequent droughts affect electricity supply in
$500mn, 430MW facility, one of the biggest Zambia, Africa’s second-biggest copper mining
renewable energy projects in southern Africa nation which runs almost exclusively on hydro
where coal-fired capacity dominates. generation from Lake Kariba which forms its
First Quantum’s Kansanshi and Sentinel southeastern border with Zimbabwe. Through
mines produced 434,847 tonnes of copper last the Zambezi River Authority, the neighbours
year, more than half of Zambia’s total output. share the water on the lake to produce electricity.
“The project will offer significant benefits to Total Eren, almost 30% owned by TotalEn-
Zambia, by unlocking some of its world-class ergies, and Chariot Transitional Power, a unit
renewable potential. It will help the country of London-listed Chariot, will fund, build and
realise some of its untapped solar and wind operate the project expected to start early 2023,
resources by attracting large-scale foreign invest- First Quantum said.
ment and adding significant renewable energy “We are very excited to be partnering with
capacity,” said Anthony Mukutuma, Kansanshi FQM and Total Eren on this ground-breaking
Mine general manager. 430 MW project in Zambia,” Laurent Coche,
The project, according to Bloomberg, signals Chariot Transitional Power Executive Director,
a change of heart for First Quantum, which had said.
planned to build a 300MW coal-power project “This project further demonstrates Chariot’s
in neighbouring Botswana to supply its Zambian commitment to assisting mining companies in
mines. Africa transition to renewable energy sources
The 230MW solar plant will generate power for their operations, with Zambia having an
during the day while the 200MW wind farm will abundance of wind and solar potential. We are
produce at night said Fabienne Demol, Total delighted to get started on the project, ahead of
Eren’s global head of business development. construction commencing in 2023, and we look
“The project also represents a natural fit with forward to providing further updates in due
Zambia’s hydropower resource seasonality; the course.”™

P10 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 12 24•March•2022