Electricity - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Zimbabwe's Cost-Reflective Tariffs Drive Energy Investments Amid Power Crisis 1

Zimbabwe’s adoption of cost-reflective tariffs has triggered a surge in energy sector investments aimed at alleviating the nation’s ongoing power shortages. Since the tariff adjustment in December 2023, energy projects totaling 3,000 MW are under development, according to Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) chairperson Sydney Gata. “Immediately after the tariffs were corrected, we engaged industry, particularly mining, encouraging them to invest in electricity infrastructure,” Gata said at an energy summit in Victoria Falls. Miners were urged to take responsibility for their energy needs instead of relying on government subsidies. “To… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity

Zambia and Zimbabwe Urged to Diversify Energy Sources Amid Kariba Dam Crisis

November 21, 2024November 21, 2024 Constance

A significant drop in water levels at the world’s largest man-made reservoir, the Kariba Dam, has left Zambia and Zimbabwe without power for hours, underscoring the need for both countries to diversify their energy sources, according to Zambia’s Energy Minister Makozo Chikote. “The over-dependence on hydropower has exposed the vulnerability of our energy mix,” Chikote said. “This has been a wake-up call, prompting us to consider alternative energy sources,” he added during an energy summit in Victoria Falls on Monday. The Kariba Dam, which provides the majority of electricity to… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity Hydro power plant

Zambia Targets Hydropower Expansion to Power Mining Growth

November 14, 2024November 14, 2024 Constance

Zambia is advancing plans to harness alternative hydropower sources on the Zambezi River as part of a long-term strategy to meet the growing energy demands of its mining industry. At the recent Critical Minerals Africa 2024 summit, Sokwani William Chilembo, CEO of the Zambia Chamber of Mines, emphasized that hydropower projects in Zambia’s Northern Watershed will be prioritized due to the area’s resilience against droughts and El Niño conditions. “By developing hydropower in these regions, we can supplement it with coal from Lake Kariba’s southern shores and additional solar energy,”… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity

Zesco Introduces New 7-Hour Daily Power Rationing Schedule in Zambia

November 8, 2024November 8, 2024 Constance

Zesco has announced a new power rationing schedule in Zambia, aiming to ensure a consistent 7-hour daily power supply for its customers. The update, shared by Zesco’s Corporate Affairs Department, seeks to improve service reliability by strategically optimizing power imports and maximizing contributions from Independent Power Producers. In its statement, Zesco clarified that while the utility is committed to upholding this schedule, it relies on the availability of imported power and may face unexpected challenges. Should disruptions occur, Zesco will issue real-time updates through SMS, its Facebook page, and other… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity

Tanzania to Establish Power Grid Connection with Zambia to Alleviate Drought-Induced Power Shortages

October 27, 2024October 27, 2024 Constance

Tanzania is advancing plans to establish a power grid connection with Zambia to help address Zambia’s drought-related power shortages, announced Deputy Prime Minister Doto Biteko at the Singapore International Energy Week. “We have interconnectors with our neighbors—Rwanda, Burundi, and Kenya—and now we are establishing an interconnector with Zambia to assist our neighbor during this severe drought,” said Biteko, who also serves as the Minister of Energy. As a member of the Eastern African Power Pool, Tanzania has access to a broader market, allowing it to sell surplus electricity to neighboring… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity Energy

Zambia’s Energy Regulation Board Set to Announce Decision on ZESCO’s Emergency Tariff Adjustment

October 10, 2024October 10, 2024 Constance

The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) is expected to announce its final decision today regarding ZESCO’s application for an emergency tariff adjustment. During a public hearing on ZESCO’s application held in Lusaka on Monday, ERB Board Chairperson James Banda assured attendees that there is no political interference in the board’s decision-making process. He emphasized that the decision will be based solely on the board’s considerations of all submissions received. ZESCO Managing Director Victor Mapani clarified that the proposed emergency tariff adjustments will apply only to domestic, retail, and industrial customers, explicitly… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Electricity Energy

Jubilee Metals Increases Stake in Zambia’s Project G and Secures Renewable Energy Supply

October 7, 2024October 7, 2024 Constance

Diversified metals producer Jubilee Metals has completed its due diligence on Project G, an open-pit copper mining operation in Zambia, and has decided to increase its ownership from 51% to 65%. This acquisition, initially announced in August, marks Jubilee’s second open-pit copper venture in Zambia, following the implementation of Project Munkoyo. In a related move, Jubilee has expanded its power allocation under the recently announced private power purchase agreement (LHPC agreement), securing an additional 2 MW of electricity. This will ensure that all Zambian operations, including the Roan concentrator, operate… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Electricity

Kansanshi Mining Reports Strong Financial Results Amid Zambia’s Power Crisis

October 6, 2024October 6, 2024 Constance

Kansanshi Mining, a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals (FQM), posted impressive financial results for the first half of 2024, driven by higher copper prices and improved ore grades despite ongoing electricity challenges in Zambia. The company recorded a net profit of $117 million, a remarkable recovery from a net loss of $1.1 million during the same period last year. Income tax contributions also surged to $56 million, up from $3.6 million in 2023. Revenue for the half-year increased by 25%, reaching $927 million. This growth was largely due to a… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity

Zambia’s Energy Minister Addresses Power Deficit and Solutions

October 4, 2024October 4, 2024 Constance

Hon. Makoso Chikote, Zambia’s Minister of Energy, addressed the nation on the ongoing power deficit, expressing gratitude for citizens’ resilience during this challenging period. He acknowledged that September was particularly difficult, with prolonged power rationing affecting numerous households and businesses. The power shortage is primarily due to three factors: reduced power generation at the Kariba North Bank Power Station, caused by water allocation challenges from the Zambezi River Authority; maintenance work at the 300MW Maamba Energy Power Plant; and technical issues with the power interconnector to Namibia. Minister Chikote announced… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity

ZESCO Enhances Energy Reliability Following Maamba Energy Resumption

October 3, 2024 Constance

ZESCO has announced that it will be able to provide a more reliable and consistent energy supply during the scheduled hours of load shedding starting Wednesday, following the resumption of full operations at Maamba Energy on Tuesday evening. During a media briefing in Lusaka, Transmission Operations and Trade Director Justin Loongo revealed that ZESCO has secured a guaranteed 400 megawatts of power imports during off-peak and standard times. However, he noted that “for peak periods, inputs will depend on availability, and at peak times, all countries want to domesticate power.”… Read More Here