- Anglo American Platinum is on track with thier pathway to carbon neutrality by 2040, with a target of a 30% reduction from a 2016 baseline by 2030.
- They delivered their interim results yesterday confirming several initiatives and projects, including the development of large-scale renewable energy generation, transitioning diesel and coal usage to alternative technologies, and assessing carbon offset opportunities for the remaining GHG emissions.
- The projects are expected to reduce our GHG emissions by more than the targeted 30% by 2030.
Their renewable energy programme is progressing well, with large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in development. This programme will also support efforts to alleviate the current electricity crisis in South Africa. The programme includes assessing storage options to assist with the current Eskom load curtailment programme and will also be incorporated into the country’s longer-term renewable energy requirements aimed at achieving carbon neutrality.
The embedded solar PV projects include a 100-megawatt (MW) project at Mogalakwena Mine, a 125MW project at Amandelbult Complex and a 35MW project at Unki Mine. These projects are in various stages of development and are expected to be operational between Q4 2024 and 2025.
In the Envusa Energy partnership with Anglo American Group, Anglo American Platinum plans to participate in an off-take arrangement for 520MW and is expected to be completed by 2025. This is part of a broader partnership between Anglo American and EDF Renewables that has led to the appointment of a jointly owned company to develop a regional renewable energy ecosystem (RREE) in South Africa that is expected to generate 3GW to 5GW of renewable energy by 2030.
Their transition away from diesel comprises the deployment of a zero-emissions power plant as a replacement for diesel engines in Mogalakwena’s ultra-class haul fleet, as well as Green Mobility, which is involved in the development of underground and surface equipment electrification.
The company said that energy usage, energy intensity and GHG emissions were marginally above targets in H1 2023. This was primarily due to load curtailment activities on concentrator and smelter operations affecting productivity and energy efficiencies. Further development of several key energy-reduction and energy- efficiency improvement projects commenced in the first six months of 2023.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
