Voltalia appointed to build 12-MW solar plant at Zimbabwe gold mine

Canada-based Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (LON:CMCL) has picked France’s Voltalia SA (EPA:VLTSA) as construction contractor for a 12-MW solar power project at its gold mine in Zimbabwe.

The specific project envisages the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) plant that will be generating electricity for the mining group’s Blanket gold mine. According to a press release from Wednesday, Caledonia Mining and Voltalia have agreed an initial design phase for the project. An engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract between the parties is due to be signed.

Once commissioned in the last quarter of next year, the solar plant will cover around 27% of the mine’s entire electricity consumption. Its operation will help the mine tackle with power deterioration and interruptions due to Zimbabwe's low electricity generation and grid issues.

Last month, Caledonia Mining raised USD 13 million (EUR 11m) through the sale and issue of shares to bankroll the project.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.850)

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