The recent growing emphasis on the use of renewable energy has allowed Namibia to benefit more from its mining sector as large-scale solar undertakings are in the works. Orano a French company that mines uranium, as well as Rossing Uranium Company are two of the main players in the Erongo region and they have both launched solar photovoltaic (PV) projects to enhance their activities.
The Sorexa project by Orano seeks to alleviate pressure on fossil fuels for water-short Namibia
Orano Mining Namibia (OMN) is the Namibian subsidiary of the French uranium miner Orano. The company has commenced very recently the construction of another Solar PV Project, the Sorexa Solar PV Project. This construction aims at supplying power to the Erongo Desalination Plant (EDP), which is located 35 kilometers away to the north of Swakopmund.
The first phase of this initiative focuses on addressing the energy needs of the desalination plant more efficiently and in an eco-friendly manner through the minimization of the use of non-renewable sources of energy in this water scarce region.
Additional phases of the Sorexa project are planned which may further assist in meeting the energy needs for primary and secondary sectors in Namibia. This renewable energy model is growth oriented and made to support the countries vision to incorporate renewables in their energy mix.
It is without doubt that all these factors minimize dependence on fossil fuels. Out of these factors, the Sorexa project by OMN stands out for seeking to change the energy helping to drive industrial activities in Namibia.
Rossing Uranium Mine for self-sufficiency enhancement with newly installed 18 MW solar system
Simultaneously, there is a solar PV project that has been launched at the Rossing Uranium Mine in Erongo which is also a clear indication of the virtues of clean energy investment within the mining industry its sector. This ground-mounted solar project which has a capacity of 18 MW is scheduled to begin construction in 2024 and is expected to go live in 2025.
This project is an entirely owned subsidiary of Rossing Uranium, and it is aimed at improving the energy self-sufficiency of the mine, thereby reducing the adverse effects associated with uranium mining. Given its experience in the development of energy projects, it is predicted that China National Nuclear Corporation will assist in the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works of the Rossing solar project.
Moreover, the company will offer two years of operations and maintenance support to guarantee the provision of steady and reliable energy. This alliance epitomizes the melding of foreign know-how and Namibia’s ambitions towards renewable energy and serves as a fine example for other projects in the mining sector in the region.
Cost effectiveness and sustainability: Namibia’s mining sector adopts solar empowerment
The transition toward renewable energy in the mining sector of Namibia denotes a multitude of advantages. For instance, solar PV projects at Sorexa and Rossing Uranium Mine reduces the operational expenditures, enhances the sustainability ratings, and agrees to the global trends of decarbonization.
As a result, these practices reduce the fossil fuel consumption and hence, the carbon emissions created, which is a positive step towards the environmental goals of Namibia. In addition to that, solar energy in mining enhances productivity because it is a dependable energy source that is not likely to expose one to the high operational costs due to the changes in prices of conventional fuels.
Thanks to beneficial geographical features including high solar irradiation, Namibia stands out as the perfect site for solar photovoltaic installations which facilitates sustaining the mining operations on a reliable and endless source of energy. Such projects as Sorexa and Rossing demonstrate that sustainable mining is indeed possible and can be economically profitable for the mining industry in Namibia.
The introduction of solar energy in Namibia’s Mining Sector is commendable and suggests developments to come. This is evidenced in the implementation of solar PV projects at the Sorexa and Rossing Uranium Mine. The advancement of these projects, as they seem to be poised to be realized, will probably accelerate the integration of more renewable energy, which can be tapped for industrial as well as community purposes in the quest for a more ecologically friendly Namibia.
