Electricity - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Transparency Concerns Arise Over ZESCO's $160M Debt Write-off to Maamba Collieries Limited 1

In a recent development, Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL), Zambia’s largest coal mine and the leading Independent Power Producer (IPP), remains tight-lipped regarding the controversial $160 million debt write-off extended to them by the state-owned power company, ZESCO. This write-off, following a lengthy period of dispute and negotiation, has raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about potential corruption and overbilling. The debt between MCL and ZESCO had ballooned to over $600 million by 2021, as ZESCO disputed the charges, leading to prolonged negotiations. However, a recent statement from ZESCO’s Managing Director, Victor… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity Energy

President Hichilema Inaugurates 60 Megawatt Solar Plant in Kitwe to Combat Energy Crisis

April 14, 2024April 14, 2024 Constance

In a significant move towards diversifying Zambia’s energy sector, President Hakainde Hichilema inaugurated the 60-megawatt Itimpi power project in Kitwe last week. Developed by the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC), the project represents a pivotal step in the country’s efforts to increase investments in non-hydro-based power generation. President Hichilema, who was on a five-day visit to the Copperbelt region, emphasized the importance of private sector involvement in sustaining such investments. He urged entrepreneurial firms to capitalize on Zambia’s abundant sunlight by investing in solar energy, thereby contributing to a more resilient… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity

Zambia and Mozambique Strengthen Power Collaboration to Address Electricity Deficit

April 7, 2024April 7, 2024 Constance

Zambia and Mozambique have enhanced their partnership to tackle Zambia’s electricity shortfall by finalizing an agreement for additional power imports on Thursday last week. Under the agreement, signed by Zambia’s Zesco Limited and Mozambique’s state-owned energy firm, Mozambique Electricity (EDM), Zambia will now import an extra 40 megawatts of power, supplementing the existing 50 megawatts from a previous deal. This raises the total import capacity to 90 megawatts, effective until June 30, 2025. Victor Mapani, Zesco’s managing director, praised the amended agreement as evidence of the strong collaboration between the… Read More Here

International Electricity

Mozambique: EDM loses over 78 million dollars from vandalization and illegal connections

March 22, 2024March 22, 2024 Constance

Mozambique’s publicly-owned electricity company, EDM, has recorded, over the last year, a financial loss of five billion meticais (78.3 million dollars at the current exchange rate) as a result of damage of equipment by criminals across the country, as well as illegal connections. According to EDM Executive Director, Noel Govene, who was speaking recently at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between EDM and the Institute for Scholarships (IBE), “in 2023 alone, EDM recorded losses of around five billion Meticais, an amount that could have been used to… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity Energy

World Bank’s $100M Grant to ZESCO Drives Zambian Energy Reforms

March 21, 2024March 21, 2024 Constance

Energy expert Johnstone Chikwanda asserts that the disbursement of a $100 million grant to Zambia, allocated for ZESCO Limited by the World Bank, will accelerate ongoing energy sector reforms aimed at enhancing access to sustainable clean energy. Dr. Chikwanda emphasizes that Zambia, as a signatory to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Number 7, stands to benefit significantly from this support as it strives to achieve universal access to clean energy by 2030. He underscores the timeliness of the disbursement, noting the government’s unprecedented efforts to diversify the electricity generation mix.… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity Energy News in Brief

ZESCO Negotiates Increased Electricity Imports from Mozambique

March 18, 2024March 18, 2024 Constance

Zambian Energy Minister Peter Kapala announced negotiations between ZESCO and Mozambique’s EDM to increase electricity imports to 120 MW. Currently, Zambia imports 50 to 90 MW from Mozambique and plans to boost it to meet demand. This move, however, will result in a revenue loss of $110 million. Last October, EDM agreed to resume electricity sales to Zambia under a contract potentially reaching 250 MW. The agreement includes firm sales of 50 MW during off-peak hours and an additional 200 MW on a non-firm basis. Additionally, both parties renewed an… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Electricity

Chambishi Copper Smelter Reduces Production Amid Power Shortages

March 14, 2024March 14, 2024 Constance

Zambia’s Chambishi Copper Smelter, owned by China Nonferrous Metal Mining Corp (CNMC), has cut one-fifth of its production due to severe power shortages in the country. The smelter, a key processing facility in Zambia, typically produces 250,000 tonnes of copper annually. However, ongoing droughts and maintenance projects by state-owned power utility Zesco have led to reduced electricity supply, prompting Chambishi to scale back capacity. Sources indicate that Chambishi began reducing production last week, anticipating power rationing announced by Zesco starting March 11. To address concerns about power security during shortages,… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity Energy

Zambia Develops Plans to Address Electricity Needs Amid Drought Threat to Hydropower

March 3, 2024March 3, 2024 Constance

Zambia has developed strategies to import and manage electricity as a severe drought threatens to impact hydropower generation, the nation’s primary power source, as reported by Reuters. The ongoing dry spell, declared a national disaster, is anticipated to negatively affect food production and could have repercussions on the mining sector, a vital component of Zambia’s economy as the second-largest copper producer in Africa. President Hichilema highlighted that the energy sector is projected to face a deficit of nearly 450 to over 500 megawatts this year due to the prolonged dry… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Electricity

FQM AND ZESCO IN TALKS TO IMPROVE NATIONAL GRID EFFICIENCY

February 16, 2024February 16, 2024 Constance

Stabilisation of the national power grid is a prerequisite to increasing Zambia’s copper production to 3 million tonnes a year, says First Quantum Minerals (FQM). The need to ensure that power is available ahead of new mine production, and that this power is efficiently transmitted through the national grid cannot be over emphasised, said the company. The message came as the country’s largest power user hosted engineers from ZESCO this week at its Trident mine in Kalumbila as part of on-going discussions to improve the efficiency of the nation’s power… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Electricity Gold Press Release

Kibali Gold Mine Sets Benchmark for Sustainable and Automated Mining

January 31, 2024January 31, 2024 Constance

KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Kibali, the largest gold mine in Africa, is now also one of the greenest mines on the African continent, Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow told media at a briefing on Monday January 29th. Much of the electricity that drives Kibali is already supplied by its three hydropower stations. Once the mine’s new 16 megawatt solar plant and additional battery energy storage infrastructure, designed to back up the hydropower supply during the region’s dry season, are commissioned, it is expected the mine’s overall renewable electricity… Read More Here