Solarcentury Africa and Dallaglio sign agreement to build a 7 MWp solar plant for Eureka Gold Mine in Zimbabwe

Solarcentury Africa has inked an exclusive partnership with Dallaglio to construct a state-of-the-art 7 MWp solar power plant at the Eureka Gold Mine in Guruve, Zimbabwe.

Solarcentury Africa, supported by its parent company BB Energy, is dedicated to establishing a robust portfolio of renewable energy facilities in Zimbabwe and the wider region. These green power plants will not only cater to anchor off-takers but also open doors to trade on a merchant basis, playing a pivotal role in advancing the solar energy transition and meeting the surging power demand in Southern Africa.

Eureka Gold Mine is not only one of Zimbabwe’s largest and most technologically advanced gold mining operations but also a key driver of economic development in the Guruve district, creating jobs and bolstering the local economy.

The newly signed agreement underscores Dallaglio’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. Once operational, the project is expected to save thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifespan, substantially cut energy costs for the mine, and enhance the reliability of its power supply. Solarcentury Africa will be overseeing the project’s design, development, financing, construction, and operation phases, with financial closure anticipated early next year.

Zimbabwe’s power sector faces considerable challenges and reforms. With an estimated 40% of the country’s power demand originating from the mining and heavy industry sectors, projects like this one are instrumental in supporting Zimbabwe’s energy transition and the nation’s projected 5% economic growth rate. The project has received full support from the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), which is actively assisting Solarcentury Africa in securing the necessary licenses and permits.

Jason De Carteret, CEO of Solarcentury Africa, remarked, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Dallaglio, marking a significant milestone in our mission to develop a renewable asset portfolio in Zimbabwe and the surrounding region. We applaud Dallaglio for their dedication to sustainability and express our gratitude for entrusting Solarcentury Africa with the responsibility of delivering this project.”

James Beare, CEO of Dallaglio, commented, “the Partnership with Solarcentury Africa is an important sustainability step for us, it reduces our cost of production and by outsourcing the project development to Solarcentury Africa, it allows Dallaglio to focus on our core business.”

About Dallaglio:

Dallaglio Investments is a gold mining company located in Zimbabwe, which develops and operates commercial scale gold mines. It’s experienced team of mining professionals use cutting-edge technology to extract gold from the earth and process it to the highest standards. They are committed to responsible and sustainable mining practices and strive to create lasting value for all their stakeholders.

About Eureka Gold Mine:

Eureka Gold Mine is owned by Delta Gold Zimbabwe (DGZ) and is one of the largest gold mines in operation in Zimbabwe. DGZ was acquired by Dallaglio in 2018, investing US$60 million in Eureka Mine to bring it back into production. The Mine is situated in Northern Zimbabwe in the Mashonaland Central province, approximately 150km northwest of Harare and 4km southeast of Guruve town. The open pit mine which is currently being exploited at Eureka has 10.3 million tonnes in ore reserves containing approximately 450,000 ounces of gold, at an average grade of 1.36g/t, delivered to the plant. The state-of-the-art CIL plant has a processing capacity of 112,000 tonnes/month and produces 130kg of gold from the open pit every month which is planned to continue up to the year 2032 before transitioning to an underground mining method below 300m depth. The Eureka Mine Mineral Resource estimate and life of mine production plan are supported by robust technical studies and geological modelling which is based on 32,000m of diamond core drilling that defines the ore body. The ore body has so far been drilled to a depth of only 650m, giving a total JORC compliant resource (including the ore reserves stated above) of 1,199,080 ounces of which 945,807 ounces are in the Measured and Indicated Resource category. Subject to undertaking a full feasibility study, DGZ expects to start development towards the underground mining blocks in 2030 which will add at least a further 10 years to the current life of mine although the ore body remains open below the 650m depth. Eureka Mine is cost competitive with an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of c.US$1,450 per ounce and plans to reduce AISC to c.US$1,300 per ounce by 2025.

About Solarcentury Africa:

Solarcentury Africa, a pioneer in renewable energy development with over a decade of experience in Africa, is headquartered in the UK and has a physical presence in several African countries. It leads the market in developing solar PV and energy storage projects using cutting-edge technology and intelligent control systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Solarcentury Africa’s projects, partnerships, and technologies generate clean power for investors, businesses, and communities. Solarcentury Africa is a proud member of the BB Energy Group.

About BB Energy:

Founded in the 1960s, BB Energy is a global leader in independent energy trading with a rapidly growing renewable energy and emission reduction division. The company operates across 12 offices worldwide, with key trading hubs in London, Dubai, Houston, and Singapore.