Richards Bay Minerals, a prominent heavy mineral sands extraction and refining company, has recently made significant strides towards sustainability by signing a renewable power purchase agreement with Khangela Emoyeni Wind Farm. This agreement secures 140MW of wind energy from a new wind farm in the Western and Northern Cape Province, aiming to reduce RBM's annual carbon emissions by 20%.
Key parties involved in the 20-year PPA include African Clean Energy Developments, The IDEAS Fund, Reatile Group, Rand Merchant Bank, and EIMS Africa for asset management. The Khangela Emoyeni Wind Farm is projected to produce 460GWh of renewable energy annually, supporting RBM's operations in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, through a wheeling agreement with Eskom. This initiative is aligned with Rio Tinto's commitment to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.
Werner Duvenhage, Managing Director of RBM and Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium African Operations, emphasized the importance of decarbonizing operations and the potential of the Khangela Emoyeni Wind Farm to reduce carbon emissions by 20%. Additionally, RBM previously signed an agreement for the Bolobedu Solar PV plant, expected to meet 17% of RBM's power consumption.
The combined efforts of the Khangela Emoyeni Wind and Bolobedu Solar projects will supply approximately 42% of RBM's energy needs, fostering job creation, skills development, and knowledge transfer in local communities. James Cumming, General Manager at ACED, highlighted the significance of the clean energy projects in addressing South Africa's power crisis.
Richards Bay Minerals, known for its sustainable practices and community impact, plays a vital role in the extraction and production of materials used in various everyday products. The company's commitment to sustainable operations reflects its dedication to making a positive difference in the communities it serves.
