South Africa’s Mining Sector Turns to Renewables to Cut Costs and Secure Supply

Here are five richly detailed articles for MiningFocus Africa, each rewritten from recent reports and news sources to reflect the continent’s evolving mining landscape. These pieces are tailored for a professional audience seeking insight into policy, investment, innovation, and sustainability across Africa’s extractive industries.

Facing escalating electricity costs and persistent supply instability, South Africa’s mining industry is undergoing a quiet revolution—one powered by renewable energy. With Eskom’s tariffs set to rise nearly 25% over three years, mining companies are investing heavily in solar, wind, and battery storage to reduce dependence on the grid and future-proof operations.

According to the Minerals Council South Africa, nearly 70% of the country’s large-scale renewable energy projects are linked to mining. These 90-plus projects represent over 15,800 MW of potential capacity and R275 billion in investment. Deep-level gold and platinum mines, which rely heavily on power for pumping, cooling, and ventilation, are particularly vulnerable to tariff hikes and load shedding.

Major players like Anglo American, Gold Fields, and Harmony Gold have already rolled out on-site solar facilities, while Exxaro is transitioning its portfolio from coal to clean energy. These moves align with global ESG expectations and South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, which is repurposing old coal plants into renewable hubs.

Although exploration spending has declined for six consecutive years, capital expenditure remains strong—focused on sustainability rather than expansion. If executed effectively, South Africa’s mining sector could become a model for how necessity drives innovation in heavy industry.