Kamoa Copper and CrossBoundary Energy sign agreement for baseload renewable energy system

Kamoa Copper SA is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin Mining Group, and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which owns a 20% stake in the company. The mining complex is the largest of its kind in Africa, with copper production capacity of approximately 600 000 t/y. The ramp-up of the new on-site direct-to-blister copper smelter is expected to commence in 2Q25.

This solar project is the first of its kind in Africa and will include a 222 MWp solar PV system and a 123 MVA/526 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The plant will provide a 30 MW dispatchable renewable baseload energy supply to the mine, offsetting fuel generators and reducing carbon emissions by around 78 750 t/y. CrossBoundary Energy will own and operate the plant, and Kamoa Copper will pay for the energy it consumes. The plant is expected to produce approximately 300 000 MWh of clean energy per year.

Whilst many mines have incorporated solar PV and BESS systems into their operations, the supply of baseload energy – a guaranteed power output at all times – is rare for solar PV and BESS, as the sector has typically been cautious of intermittency. However, due to the increasing efficiency of solar PV and the declining cost of BESS components, a renewable baseload system is now viable and cheaper than the diesel generators currently providing power to the mine.

Annebel Oosthuizen, Managing Director of Kamoa Copper, said:

"This is a pivotal moment for Kamoa Copper and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As a company, Kamoa Copper has been setting innovative benchmarks in various domains, and with this partnership on baseload renewable energy, we will continue to do so. We are pleased to have CrossBoundary Energy as our first partner in this endeavor. Their commitment to honesty, integrity, and delivery is exemplary. We anticipate hard work and successful outcomes from this project. From Kamoa Copper's side, we are committed to providing unwavering support to ensure our suppliers' success, as we demand excellence in all our collaborations."

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/09042025/kamoa-copper-and-crossboundary-energy-sign-agreement-for-baseload-renewable-energy-system/