Rhovan, a Glencore Ferroalloys managed vanadium mining and processing facility located near Brits in the North West, South Africa, has commenced construction of a 25MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant.

Once completed, the energy produced by the PV plant will be fed into Rhovan’s network and is expected to supply approximately 30% of the operations’ annual energy demand. The reduction in grid-supplied electricity is expected to save over 48 000 tonnes per year in CO2 emissions at the plant.

“Not only does our mine produce a range of vanadium products that can be used in applications that support a low-carbon economy but by installing a solar plant that will supply renewable electricity to our operation, we are reducing the mine’s overall emissions footprint,” says Japie Fullard, Glencore Ferroalloys CEO.

Rhovan has also consulted with the Bakwena- Ba- Magopa Community in South Africa’s North West province where the operations are situated, says Fullard. “Local small and medium sized enterprises will be contracted to assist in the construction and installation of the solar plant.”

Work has already commenced on the project, with the commissioning planned for late 2024.