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- West Wits Mining (WWI) receives approval from Joburg City Power for a 7.5 mega volt amp (MVA) power grid supply to its Qala Shallows project in South Africa
- The new power supply will bring significant cost savings for the company and be 75 per cent less expensive than using diesel power generators
- West Wits says the power supply approval marks a “significant milestone” given South Africa’s ideal climate to maximise the use of solar energy
- The company aims to create an optimal power supply combining electrical grid, solar, and diesel power for its Witwatersrand Basin Project (WBP)
- WWI shares are up 12.5 per cent and trading at 1.8 cents at 3:30 pm AEST
West Wits Mining (WWI) has received approval from Joburg City Power for a 7.5 mega volt amp (MVA) power supply to its phase one Qala Shallows project in South Africa.
The company said the power supply from Joburg City Power would be 75 per cent less expensive than using diesel power generators, providing significant cost savings for WWI.
WWI CEO and Managing Director Jac van Heerden said the power supply approval marked a “significant milestone” for the company.
“Diesel power generators will remain an integral part of Qala Shallows’ power supply system, ensuring uninterrupted production during load-shedding periods and other outages,” Mr van Heerden said.
“However, access to grid power for the majority of operations will significantly reduce the projected electricity costs during the build-up phase and thereby further de-risk the project at a critical phase.”
The company added that South Africa had an ideal climate to maximise the use of solar energy.
Additionally, the company said its preferred mining equipment suppliers have made significant strides in the development of battery-operated mining equipment, offering the potential to further reduce WWI’s reliance on diesel power.
West Wits’ said it envisioned an optimal power supply for its Witwatersrand Basin Project (WBP) that combined electrical grid, solar, and diesel power – one which will enable the mine to maintain uninterrupted production and create longer-term value for its stakeholders.
WWI shares were up 12.5 per cent and trading at 1.8 cents at 3:30 pm AEST.
