Northam Platinum enters into 180 MW solar farm agreement at energy-intensive mine

Platinum group metals (PGMs) and chrome producer Northam has entered into a power purchase agreement with an independent power producer for an 80 MW solar farm at its Zondereinde PGM mine on the western limb of the Bushveld Complex. “This will improve operational resilience and our cost position,” Northam CEO Paul Dunne stated during the company’s presentation of strong annual production, with the provision of power described as continuing to present high risk, despite the current reduction in loadshedding by Eskom, given the expectation of the State power utility’s electricity tariffs being set to remain above the consumer price index.