Blanket Mine solar plant expected to reduce consolidated cost by $37 US per ounce of gold

By Tendai Chisiri

Caledonia Mining Corporation announced that the new solar plant at Blanket Mine (Blanket) has started to generate power on Monday.

In a press release, Caledonia said Blanket currently receives its power from Zimbabwe Electricty Suppy Authority (ZESA), the national electricity supplier.
“In recent years this supply has been subject to load-shedding and unstable power, which has economic and safety implications for a underground mine such as Blanket”, said Caledonia in a press release.

” During outages or low voltage, the power supply at Blanket had to be supplemented by standing generators to enable uninterrupted mining and capital operations Diesel-generated electricity is expensive subject to an unpredictable supply of diesel and creates an unfavourable environment footprint”, it added.

Recognising the economic, environmental and logistical challenges of running large-scale diesel generators for extended periods. , Caledonia started constructing the 12.2 MWac solar plant late in 2021. As from Monday 15 November, the solar plant will provide power to Blanket . I due course it is expected that the solar plant will provide approximately 27 percent of Blanket’s average daily electricity demand.

Commenting on the announcement, Mark Learmoth chief executive officer, said

“I am delighted that the solar plant is connected to the Blanket grid and from today Blanket will start to receive some of its energy directly from solar”.

“With 21 percent of Blanket’s on-mine costs relating to energy usage, this solar plant is a very important project for the Company as it will improve the quality and security of Blanket’s electricity supply and provide environmental benefits thriugh cleaner energy. The solar power will displace more expensive power from grid and from the diesel generator as is expected to reduce Caledonia’s consolidated cost per ounce of gold produced by approximately $37”.