• EXCURSION
Supplied by South Deep , Gold Fields
South Deep Khanyisa Solar Project boasts a 50MW capacity .
GOLD FIELDS : DESTINATION NET ZERO – IT ’ S A JOURNEY
By Sharyn Macnamara
Gold Fields ’ executive , Martin Preece takes us on an excursion through the Gold Fields ' Energy and Carbon Management Strategy – destination Net Zero , saying , “ It ’ s a journey ”.
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Developing Net-Zero Mines in Africa ; pipe dream or smart business choice ?” was a question asked of several industry experts , including Preece , in the Sustainability Series on an Investing in African Mining Indaba 2024 panel . Preece was clear – the company ’ s journey to Net Zero is a dream that is becoming a reality through smart business choices . He said leadership at the company believes in the end goal and are strategically focused on reaching the destination , step by step . Rather than being paralysed by seeking a complete solution from the start , the approach has been not to hesitate , but to tackle the tall order starting with short term , big-win solutions and working towards medium- and long-term goals . Building on its current base of renewable plants at five of its mines , Gold Fields is looking at other projects that incorporate renewables from solar , to wind , to hydro and using battery storage . The company ’ s renewables journey started in Australia three years ago and has since moved to South Africa , Peru and Canada .
First port of call – renewables Preece said the journey to Net Zero for Gold Fields started years ago when , in support of the 2015 Paris Agreement , the company set a long-term objective of carbon reduction . “ However , the strategy also required that the transition had to be economically viable , so the route taken became a smart business choice and with benefit in terms of energy supply security and lower operational costs . The thinking behind the strategy has been to find the ‘ best bang for the company ’ s buck ’. So , the journey began where the bulk of Gold Fields ’ carbon is burned – with electricity .”
14 • African Mining • March 2024 www . africanmining . co . za