Total Eren, Chariot land 40MW PV deal for South African mine as the industry continues shift to solar

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The mining industry, which is increasing turning to solar for power, causes massive GHG emissions but is also crucial to the production of solar modules via mineral extraction. Image: Pixabay

South African mining company Tharisa has signed an agreement with renewables developer Total Eren and African energy company Chariot to build a 40MW solar PV project to power its mining operations as more of the country’s heavy industries turn to solar.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) plans for Total Eren and Chariot to develop, finance, construct, own, operate and maintain the plant that will supply power to Tharisa’s eponymous metals mine in northern South Africa.  

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

It is a precursor to the signing of a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) for the supply of electricity on a take-or-pay basis, Tharisa said in a statement, adding that demand was expected to increase over the 50-year lifespan of the mine.

“Projects such as this solar development are achievable with the commitment from our company as well as the commitment from our partners in this venture,” Tebogo Matsimela, head of ESG at Tharisa said as he challenged other businesses in the mining sector to do more.

The news follows recent announcements by the mining sector in both South Africa and abroad as the industry seeks to decarbonise its operations. In November last year, the South African mining industry said it would deploy 3.9GW of renewables and storage after public utility Eskom called on the industry to do more.

And in October 2021, Eskom signed an MoU with mining companies Exxaro and Seriti Resources to deploy solar PV for their mines.  

Meanwhile, Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto is looking to deploy an additional 6GW of solar and wind in Australia as part of a new plan to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.

In the US, gold mining group Newmont said it will invest US$500 million over the next few years in solar and wind technology in an effort to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

Read Next

August 8, 2025
This week several solar developers have raised funds for projects around the world, including BRUC in Europe, Greenalia in the US, Qair in Mauritius and CREC in Philippines.
August 8, 2025
German renewable energy developer ib vogt has officially broken ground on a 99MWp solar PV power plant in South Cotabato, the Philippines.
August 7, 2025
US-based floating solar (FPV) developer D3Energy is constructing a 6MW floating solar system in Monroeville – a village in Huron County, Ohio. 
August 7, 2025
Infinity Power has signed two concession agreements with the Government of Côte d'Ivoire for PV projects with a total capacity of 80MWac.
Premium
August 7, 2025
July 2025, the peak of the Australian winter season, saw generation from utility-scale and rooftop solar increase by 12.78% year-on-year in the National Electricity Market (NEM).
August 7, 2025
Despite severe flooding in the Waiotahe Valley in New Zealand, Lodestone Energy has confirmed that its 42MW Te Herenga o Te Rā solar PV power plant has continued operations.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines