Construction has begun on a solar power project at the Sishen mine in South Africa’s Northern Cape province, marking the first time a large-scale renewable energy installation has been built on a rehabilitated mining waste rock dump. The 63 MW AC development sits atop a former mining site spanning roughly 100 hectares and standing about 20 storeys high.
Project scope and location
Envusa Energy, a joint venture between Anglo American and EDF Power Solutions launched in 2022, is behind the development near the town of Kathu. The company confirmed that all electricity generated by the solar photovoltaic array will be sold to the Sishen mine, operated by Kumba Iron Ore, to power its mining activities.
The Northern Cape province experiences some of the highest solar irradiance levels in South Africa, making it an attractive location for photovoltaic installations. The region is characterized by its arid climate and vast open spaces, though much of the local terrain has been shaped by mining activities over decades. By situating the solar development within the boundaries of existing mine operations, the project avoids encroaching on undisturbed natural habitats that remain prevalent in the surrounding area.
Envusa Energy operates a dedicated trading company that will manage the sale of electricity generated at the site directly to the Sishen operation. This arrangement allows the mining facility to procure renewable energy without needing to develop its own generation infrastructure. The joint venture was specifically established to pursue such opportunities across southern Africa, targeting large industrial energy consumers seeking to transition away from fossil fuel dependency.
Financing for the project closed in late July, with construction officially starting in early August. The site occupies land within the boundaries of the existing mine operations.
Environmental and operational rationale
Envusa Energy cited the mine’s environmental commitments as a key factor in selecting the rehabilitated dump for the project. The company said the location helps minimize impact on undeveloped ecosystems, reduces the carbon footprint of mining operations, and improves energy security for the facility.
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Sishen mine has set targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions as part of broader corporate sustainability goals. Procuring renewable energy through this development allows the operation to make immediate progress toward those targets without waiting for grid-connected solutions that may not be available in the remote Northern Cape region for years to come. The mine’s location far from major urban centers means that reliable electricity supply has historically presented logistical challenges, making on-site generation an attractive proposition.
The company addressed technical challenges posed by the unstable nature of rehabilitated mining dumps. Workers installed a mobile adjustable substation and flexible PV structures designed to accommodate ground movement as the dump settles over time.
Unlike conventional solar installations built on stable ground, the rehabilitated dump continues to shift and consolidate as materials settle. Engineers selected mounting systems that can be repositioned and adjusted without requiring complete disassembly, allowing the array to maintain optimal orientation despite ongoing terrain changes. The mobile substation can be relocated as the dump’s surface configuration evolves, ensuring continuous grid connection throughout the project’s operational life.
Ownership and financing structure
Anglo American, EDF Power Solutions, and the Sishen Iron Ore Company-Community Development Trust hold equity stakes in the project. Nedbank and ABSA are serving as lenders to the development. Bowmans provided legal counsel to the project sponsors, with a team including partners Alexandra Cluver, Alexandra Felekis, Andani Siwisa, Mongesi Dladla, Julia Power, and Alessandra Pardini.
The inclusion of the community development trust as an equity partner ensures that local communities near the Sishen mine have a direct financial stake in the project’s success. This arrangement reflects a growing trend in the mining sector to share infrastructure benefits with affected populations, particularly in regions where mining operations have significant social impacts. The trust’s involvement means that returns from electricity sales will flow partially to community development initiatives in the Kathu area.
Repurposing former mining infrastructure for renewable energy generation offers a practical path for industrial operations seeking to decarbonize. The success of this project could encourage similar approaches at other mining sites across southern Africa, though practical and financial hurdles remain for widespread adoption.