In a display of environmental responsibility and innovative problem-solving, a mining company in Zimbabwe has transformed a decades-old waste dump into a solar farm that powers their entire operation.
Faced with rising electricity costs and the environmental impact of coal, Turk Mine in Bubi District turned to solar energy. The 4.4MW solar plant, comprised of over 8,000 panels, sits on a reclaimed 3.6-hectare tailings dam – a waste site from previous mining operations.
This effort did not only reduce their reliance on the national grid but also eliminated the need to burn 5.4 million kilograms of coal for electricity production
Turk Mine’s safety, health, environment and quality officer, Mr Taurai Danda said, “the history behind some of the tailings dams that used to surround this mine is that they were very old, or as far back as the 1920s”
He explained the environmental hazards posed by the old tailings dam and the company’s decade-long effort to rehabilitate the land. The project not only addressed environmental concerns but also presented an economic opportunity, as the company was able to extract residual gold from the processed ore.
This initiative is being applauded by Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Authority (EMA). EMA provincial environment manager for Matabeleland North Province, Mrs Chipo Mpofu Zuze, commended Turk Mine for their commitment to environmental protection and community well-being.
She said “By reclaiming the tailings dam and adopting solar power, Turk Mine is setting a precedent for sustainable mining practices in the region”.
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