Karo Mining, a mine in Zimbabwe will benefit from competitive electricity thanks to the Total Eren and Chariot project.
A photovoltaic project
Karo Mining is part of a partnership agreement signed in November 2021 between the two companies. Thus, Total Eren and Chariot are working together to become important players in the energy transition in Africa. The solar photovoltaic project will power the Karo platinum mine, which will start construction on July 1, 2022.
Karo Mining holds a mining area of 23,903 hectares in the Mashonaland West province of Zimbabwe. The partnership concluded will cover a wide field of competences. It will develop, finance, build and operate the solar project.
The mining concession area of the Karo Mining project is located in the large dyke. It is located about 80 kilometers southwest of Harare. Finally, it is located 35 kilometers southeast of Chegutu.
A first step
The installed capacity of the project will reach 30MWp with a maximum capacity of 300MWp. Total Eren and Karo Mining sign a “Memorandum of Understanding” (MoU). This agreement is a first step towards the implementation and signing of a long-term power purchase agreement.
In the coming months, Karo Mining will work on the next steps of the project development. Fabienne Demol, Executive Vice President and Global Development Director of Total Eren, says:
“Our solar project will enable Karo Mining’s platinum mine to be supplied with low-carbon electricity during its lifetime, reducing its carbon footprint and providing a competitively priced source of electricity in Zimbabwe. I am looking forward to the implementation of this solar project and express the wish to launch even more renewable energy projects in this country where our strategic shareholder, TotalEnergies, has a strong presence.”
In addition, the partnership supports the goal of a 1GW renewable energy pipeline in Africa.
Tharisa, a co-producer of platinum group metals and chromium, is listed on the Johannesburg and London stock exchanges. Tharisa is a 70% shareholder of Karo Mining Holdings. Finally, the government of Zimbabwe owns 15% of the mine.
