Kamoa-Kakula smelter. (Image source: Ivanhoe Mines)

Ivanhoe Mines is beefing up its power supply options at its various mines sites in Central Africa as a result of grid instability

At the producing Kipushi zinc mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the company reported that despite improved production rates, “operations continue to be impacted by grid instability.”

An additional 6 MW of back-up generator capacity is in the process of being installed and is set to be commissioned in the coming weeks, it noted in a 7 October statement.

“The new generators will increase the total on-site back-up power to 20 MW, sufficient to maintain operational continuity during periods of grid instability,” it noted.

Kipushi produced a record 57,200 tonnes of zinc in Q3 2025, a quarterly increase of 37%.

More ambitious plans are underway in the run-up to the launch of Kamoa-Kakula’s on-site, direct-to-blister copper smelter, which is expected to commence in early November 2025.

Installation is nearing completion on a 60 MW battery-powered, uninterruptible power supply facility, the company reported, which will be complemented by a further 60 MW of diesel-powered gensets.

“The smelter start-up will commence as the installation of the uninterruptible power supply facility nears completion,” Ivanhoe noted.

The 60 MW UPS is designed to provide up to two hours of instantaneous back-up power to the smelter, protecting the operation from voltage fluctuations in the DRC grid, it added.

“In addition to the UPS, there is a further 60 MW of dedicated diesel-powered, back-up generator capacity.”

Last year, contractors on site marked the successful commissioning and synchronising of the first five Sumec/MTU 2 MW generators, announced in a social media post.

“On-site backup-power generator capacity is scheduled to increase to a total of over 200 MW in time for the completion of Kamoa-Kakula's direct-to-blister copper smelter in Q4 2024,” Ivanhoe said at the time.

Since then it has brought together a collection of new power arrangements to put in place the energy needed to get the new smelter up and running.

Earlier in 2025, Kamoa Copper signed power purchase agreements (PPA) with CrossBoundary Energy DRC of Nairobi, Kenya, and La Societe Green World Energie SARL of Beijing, China, to provide up to 60 MW in baseload clean energy to Kamoa-Kakula’s operations from an on-site solar facility.

The facilities, which will be owned, operated, and funded by CrossBoundary Energy and Green World Energie, will comprise a total of 406 MWp of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity, with up to 1,107 MWh of battery energy storage (BESS).

Kamoa Copper will be the sole off-taker of the electricity produced by both facilities.

The mine site also sources a large amount of its energy needs through hydroelectric, including imports via the Zambia-DRC interconnector, and from Mozambique via a wheeling agreement through the Southern Africa Power Pool network.

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Kinieiro work nears completion. (Image source: Robex)

After announcing plans for a merger this month with a rival West African gold miner, Robex remains on track to deliver first gold at its Kiniero mine in Guinea this December, as it looks to complete work on the power plant

Robex and Predictive Discovery Limited (PDI) announced plans to merge on 5 October.

In a 6 October presentation to investors, Robex said that power station concrete works at Kiniero are now complete.

It leaves the power station erection and installation of auxiliary equipment still to finish, as well as the signing of an agreement for the supply, installation and operation of a separate solar PV plant.

The main power supply will come from Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Engine Machinery (HHI-EMD), which signed an agreement with Sycamore Mine Guinea SAU, now a part of Robex, for eight gensets for the Guinea mine and to support further work in the area.

HHI-EMD is supplying eight sets of 4MW class gensets to supply stable electricity in the mine region, with the units shipped in three instalments from May 2025.

Hyundai said at the time of the award that it plans to “further expand the supply of power generation equipment to off-grid mining regions” on the back the order.

It underscores the strength of demand among natural resources companies and the conviction that thermal gensets still provide the most robust source of power supply in remote, off-grid regions.

PDI’s key asset is the Bankan project in Guinea, which is advancing towards a final investment decision in 2026 and is currently contemplating its power supply options.

This will also likely incorporate a hybrid model, but built around a thermal power source, with the main source of power generated through a heavy fuel oil (HFO) plant in combination with a solar farm, the company noted in a recent feasibility study.

It again highlights the continued pull of HFO power plants as a dependable source of electricity for critical and remote mining and industrial applications in West Africa.

As well as the Kiniero mine, Robex also operates the producing Nampala gold mine in Mali.

Read more:

New gensets planned for Sadiola mine

Building reliable power for mining operations in Africa

Bankan Gold HFO power project emerges

Transforming waste into opportunity. (Image source: City of Johannesburg)

Johannesburg is accelerating its journey towards a cleaner, greener future

Following the signing of a landmark agreement on 8 October 2025, the City has secured a substantial grant of €27.5 million (approx. US$31.94mn) from Invest International Public Programmes, a leading Dutch development finance institution.

This funding marks a new chapter in the City’s commitment to sustainable waste management through the Alternative Waste Treatment Technology (AWTT) Project — a transformative initiative set to revolutionise waste handling in Johannesburg.

The signing ceremony, held in Sandton alongside the G20 Trade Ministerial, was attended by Aukje de Vries, the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Trade and Development, along with representatives from Infrastructure South Africa (ISA). Their collaboration reflects strong international confidence in Johannesburg’s sustainability vision.

The executive mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero, expressed, “I extend our deepest gratitude to Invest International and the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the generous grant. This is far more than funding; it is a powerful endorsement of our vision for a greener Johannesburg and a tangible commitment to South Africa's Just Energy Transition."

Looking ahead, the AWTT Project will form a cornerstone of the City’s Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP), aligning with the National Waste Management Strategy and South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) objectives. Its focus is to reduce landfill reliance, promote recycling and reuse, and harness renewable energy from waste.

“Beyond environmental benefits, the project will bring about meaningful social and economic transformation. It will uplift waste picker communities, create green jobs, promote gender inclusion, and stimulate local innovation through circular economy solutions," said Morero.

With the backing of Invest International, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Infrastructure South Africa, this partnership underscores Johannesburg’s leadership in sustainable urban development. The City is charting a bold path toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and inclusive future, proving that Johannesburg is transforming waste into opportunity.

Renewables overtake global coal

Independent power producer Scatec has welcomed the findings of a recent Ember report, confirming that renewable energy sources generated more electricity than coal globally for the first half of 2025

“The global power sector has crossed a critical line,” said Terje Pilskog, CEO of Scatec. “This trend validates the long-term view Scatec has maintained: that renewable energy is not simply an environmental choice, but the most competitive and vital source for new electricity generation globally. The acceleration of green energy deployment, particularly in high-growth emerging markets such as China and India, demonstrates a global recognition of the urgency to decarbonise.”

Pilskog added, “Scatec remains committed to delivering large-scale, reliable, and affordable solar, wind, and battery storage projects, thereby actively contributing to the curb of high-emission coal generation and ensuring energy security for the markets we serve.”

IMPOWER highlights regional opportunities

IMPOWER Solar & Storage has celebrated a major development in the global energy sector.

According to the report, renewables produced 5,072 TWh in the first half of 2025, surpassing coal’s 4,896 TWh. Rapid solar and wind growth in China and India drove this increase. Analysts are calling it “a crucial turning point” in the global energy transition.

For South Africa and the wider African market, this milestone emphasises both the urgency and the opportunity to accelerate clean energy adoption.

IMPOWER said the findings reinforce its strategy of developing resilient, cost-effective systems that enable businesses and communities to thrive both on and off grid. Earlier this year, the company highlighted the importance of policy clarity and grid flexibility to unlock the full potential of renewables in the region.

Matthew Cruise, business development executive at IMPOWER, described the report as, “a positive signal for investors and innovators alike. More than a global headline, it’s a roadmap for South Africa. Every kilowatt-hour we generate from the sun reduces reliance on volatile fossil fuels and strengthens energy security for businesses and households.”

As IMPOWER expands its solar-plus-storage offerings across commercial and industrial sectors, the company views this global shift as proof that the future is already here.

“The future is decentralised, digital, and decarbonised,” Cruise added, urging policymakers to remove barriers that slow adoption.