JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 25, 2021 /CNW/ -- Gold Fields Limited (Gold
Fields) (JSE: GFI) (NYSE: GFI) welcomes the electricity generation
licence approved today by the National Energy Regulator of
South Africa (NERSA) for the
construction of a 40MW solar power plant at its South Deep
mine.
The acting CEO of NERSA now has to authorise the license, a
decision that should be forthcoming over the next two weeks. All
the regulatory approvals to proceed with the project are then in
place.
Gold Fields will update its definitive costings and finalise all
the required internal processes to commence the project as soon as
possible. The solar plant has the potential to provide around 20%
of South Deep's average electricity consumption.
Says Nick Holland, Gold Fields'
CEO: "The solar power plant will increase the reliability and
affordability of power supply to South Deep, ultimately enhancing
the long-term sustainability of the mine.
"The approval of this licence sends a strong, positive message
to mining companies and their investors, potentially leading to
decisions being taken to sustain and grow mining operations in the
country, especially in deep-level, underground, marginal mines.
Enabling companies to generate their own power also gives Eskom
room to address operational issues at its power plants."
Gold Fields' energy objectives are based on four pillars –
energy must be reliable, available, cost-effective and clean –
which promote a shift to self-generation using renewable energy
sources. "We are fully committed to making our contribution towards
net-zero emissions," says Holland.
During 2020, Gold Fields successfully implemented solar and wind
power plants, backed by battery storage, at two of its Australian
mines, Agnew and Granny Smith, and committed to renewables at its
other Australian mines, Gruyere and St Ives, as well as the Salares
Norte project in Chile when it
starts operations in 2023. All its other mines are also reviewing
renewable energy options.
Since full commissioning of the Agnew microgrid, renewable
electricity averages over 55% of total supply at the mine. During
2020, renewable electricity averaged 8% for the Australia region and 3% of total Group
electricity. Once the South Deep project is commissioned,
renewable's contribution to the Group total will rise to
approximately 11%.
Holland says: "We expect our investment in renewable and
low-carbon energy sources to contribute significantly to our carbon
emission reductions over the next few years. Power from the South
Deep solar plant will partially replace coal-fired electricity from
Eskom, enabling us to significantly reduce our Scope 2 carbon
emissions."
Notes to editors
About Gold Fields
Gold Fields is a globally diversified gold producer with nine
operating mines in Australia,
Peru, South Africa and West Africa (including the Asanko JV), as well
as one project in Chile. We have
total attributable annual gold-equivalent production of 2.2Moz,
attributable gold-equivalent Mineral Reserves of 51.3Moz and
Mineral Resources of 115.7Moz. Our shares are listed on the
Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and our American depositary
shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Enquiries
Investors
Avishkar Nagaser
Tel: +27 11 562-9775
Mobile: +27 82 312 8692
Email: Avishkar.Nagaser@goldfields.com
Thomas Mengel
Tel: +27 11 562-9849
Mobile: +27 72 493 5170
Email: Thomas.Mengel@goldfields.com
Media
Sven Lunsche
Tel: +27 11 562-9763
Mobile: +27 83 260 9279
Email: Sven.Lunsche@goldfields.com
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SOURCE Gold Fields Limited