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South Africa’sn Sedibelo eyes

revolutionary green tech

SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH Africa’s Sedibelo Platinum Mines (Sed- resources and the introduction of Kell at PPM
ibelo) plans to implement green technology will eliminate sulphur dioxide and reduce car-
which it believes could spark a green revolution bon dioxide (CO2) emissions, from concentrate
in mining. to final refined metals, to just 19% of the CO2
It will start construction of its novel Kell pro- emissions associated with conventional smelt-
cessing plant at its Pilanesberg Platinum Mines ing, the company said in a statement.
(PPM), in the country’s North West, next year. Kell will use standard equipment used in
Sedibelo said its Kell processing plant, once other metallurgical processes, but will employ
operational, will only use about 20% of the elec- this process to produce refined PGMs at the
tricity consumed during conventional smelting mine site. This offers the mining industry a far
of platinum group metals (PGMs). greener solution that is “totally” contained and
Smelters have a bad green reputation because substantially reduces harmful gases directly and
their dirty, heat-intensive processes require a indirectly emitted into the atmosphere, said
substantial amount of energy and emit noxious Clarke.
gases into the atmosphere. But Sedibelo believes While many mines place greater emphasis
the Kell plant will change this. on how to power plants using renewable energy
Sedibelo CEO Erich Clarke said that – con- sources, such as solar and battery solutions, Sed-
sidering the impact PGMs will have going for- ibelo is focused on greening the technology used
ward in terms of fuel cells and the hydrogen in the processing of its PGMs, Clarke said, add-
economy – PGMs still have a long life and a real ing that all eyes were now on Sedibelo to monitor
role to play. the plant’s performance.
“The difference Sedibelo brings to the table is The Kell process claims to lower capital
the far greener and more efficient production of expenditures to between 18% and 33%, and
these PGMs compared with some of our coun- operating costs to between 51% and 66%, of
terparts in the industry,” he explained. those in conventional smelting.
Mining is a significant energy user and driver Clarke believes that, in future, Sedibelo could
of South Africa’s carbon emissions, and the sec- possibly experience higher demand for the prod-
tor is under pressure to transition to a greener ucts it produces, as environmental, social and
economy in order for South Africa to meet its governance factors become increasingly impor-
emission targets to slow global warming. tant to investors and consumers.™
Sedibelo holds 5.8% of South Africa’s PGM

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