Rossing Uranium is planning to construct a 15MW solar plant at its mine in Namibia next year in an effort to reduce energy costs, carbon footprint and dependence on third party energy sources.
The plant, with a capacity to generate around 50,000MWh per year, will be built on a 70-hectare site adjacent to the access road between Arandis and the Mine.
Rössing Uranium Managing Director Johan Coetzee told The Brief that a tender process is underway to determine the optimal cost and contracting approach.
“Rössing has already completed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that included social impacts. This has been approved by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) and an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been put in place,” he said.
The electricity generated will be solely for the Mine use, with the Solar PV plant supplying the majority of Rössing’s energy demand during the day and offsetting over 240kt of carbon dioxide (CO2) over the remaining life of Mine. The plant has been sized to maximise the power it can generate as part of the ECB’s Modified Single Buyer (MSB) framework.
“The use of solar power fits Rössing’s objectives of reducing our cost of energy while also reducing our carbon footprint and our dependence on third party energy sources. Rössing hopes to set an example as the most efficient user of renewable energy in Namibia while continuing to produce uranium that is now also considered a source of green energy on the global stage,” Coetzee said.
Namibia, like many other African countries, is facing a growing energy demand due to rapid industrialisation and urbanisation.
The country is heavily dependent on imports from South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, for its energy needs, making it vulnerable to supply disruptions and price volatility.
The construction of a solar plant by Rössing Uranium is a significant step towards the country’s objective of achieving energy security and reducing its carbon footprint.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), solar power is becoming increasingly competitive and is expected to become the cheapest source of electricity in many parts of the world in the next decade. The cost of solar power has fallen by 90% over the past decade, making it a viable option for many industries, including mining.
The construction of a solar plant by Rössing Uranium will not only help the company reduce its energy costs but also set an example for other industries in Namibia to follow. It is a step towards achieving energy security, reducing the country’s carbon footprint, and promoting sustainable development.
This comes as the Rössing Uranium Board in February approved the Life of Mine Extension from 2026 to 2036 following the completion of the bankable feasibility study.
