Zimbabwe mining firm chooses solar over giant coal plans

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Karo is perusing a range of options to secure funding for its US$4.2 billion platinum mining venture. Flickr: Hbarrison

Zimbabwean firm Karo Mining Holdings plans to build a 300MW solar project close to its new platinum mining operations west of Harare instead of its original plans for a 600MW coal-fired power plant, after discussions with the Zimbabwean government.

Speaking to Reuters, Karo’s country manager Josephat Zimba announced the choice of solar over coal at the operations in the Mhondoro-Ngezi platinum belt, which include platinum and coal mining as well as base and precious metal refineries.

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

A company official also told Reuters that Karo is perusing a range of options to secure funding for its US$4.2 billion platinum mining venture, the country’s largest integrated platinum mining and refinery operation, for which a ground-breaking ceremony was held this week.

Last September, Zimbabwe state-owned power company Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) also applied to develop 300MW of solar with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA).

Read Next

May 28, 2025
In 2024, 20 million people improved their access to energy through the acquisition of solar energy kits (SEKs), according to GOGLA.
May 27, 2025
Fortescue Metals Group, an Australian mining giant, has submitted plans for its 644MW Turner River Solar Hub in Western Australia to the federal government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
May 23, 2025
TotalEnergies has commissioned its largest solar portfolio in Europe, a collection of five assets in Spain with a combined capacity of 263MW.
May 15, 2025
GCL Tech has received an environmental accreditation for a manufacturing facility, while Redsolar and CMEC-GL have announced new projects.
Premium
May 12, 2025
George Heynes reports on the central role solar PV may play in Australia's emerging 'green metals' industry.
May 9, 2025
Scatec has announced revenues of NOK2.39 billion (US$230 million) and profits of NOK1 billion (US$96 million) in the first quarter of 2025.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece