IM 2018 January 18 | Page 37

POWER FOR MINES President, South Europe & Africa, Wärtsilä Services. Solar, the rising energy star Total Mining Solutions has become the partner of choice to mining companies. Today, it supplies fuel, lubricants and associated services to over 200 mining sites in over 40 countries. Its professionals from the mining sector also have expertise in hydrocarbons and its management on mine sites. Total has combined its solar offer with its mining expertise to develop a sustainable and reliable energy solution. It says that “besides being environmentally sustainable, solar energy represents several advantages for the mining industry. Often located in remote areas, mining companies can boost their operational reliability with this off-grid energy solution. The highly reliable PV panels can also be used as a back up power supply. Through its SunPower division, one of the world's leading suppliers of solar panels, Total is also a supplier of the innovative option of a hybrid solar-diesel energy solution, combining sustainability with cost-effectiveness. With the addition of Tenesol, SunPower has acquired the expertise to design and tailor-make off-grid solutions. With nearly 30 years of experience working in tough geographical areas it can meet energy consumption needs. SunPower offers standard and back up PV solutions, fully solar and hybrid solutions (solar/diesel). Building on this, SunPower has excellent experience in deploying and maintaining off grid systems in all types of challenging conditions. Harness the Namibian sun B2Gold Corp has selected Caterpillar and Cat ® dealer Barloworld to supply 7 MW of solar power at the Otjikoto mine in Namibia. The full system, including Cat PV solar modules and the Cat microgrid master controller (MMC), will be used to reduce reliance on a heavy fuel oil (HFO) power plant currently used to power the mining facility. Barloworld is supplying EPC services for the project. Installation of the system is underway, with the completion of the project expected in early 2018. “At B2Gold, we embrace Total has combined its solar offering with its mining expertise environmental stewardship and social responsibility as key corporate priorities in doing business,” said Mark Dawe, Managing Director and Country Manager for B2Gold Namibia. “As one of the largest solar installations in Namibia, the facility at the Otjikoto mine will help us to leverage a plentiful, renewable resource while improving the quality of life for nearby communities.” Caterpillar’s solar PV system is powered by advanced thin-film solar modules that are setting the industry benchmark with improved performance over conventional silicon solar panels. Fully scalable and pre-engineered for quick and easy installation, the system offers reliable and predictable energy in all climates and applications with modules that are On-Track Belt Tracker ® Reliable Richwood Belt Tracking ࠮ 7YV[LJ[[OLILS[HUKJVU]L`VYZ[Y\J[\YLMYVT KHTHNLJH\ZLKI`VɈJLU[LY[YHJRPUN ࠮ :PTWSLPUZ[HSSH[PVU ࠮ 5VLKNLN\PKLYVSSLYZ ࠮ +LZPNULKMVYVW[PT\T^VYRSPML ^P[OOLH]`K\[`JVTWVULU[Z 0UUV]H[P]LJVU]L`VYZVS\[PVUZ MVYI\SRTH[LYPHSOHUKSPUN www richwood www.richwood.com d c phone [phone] email: [email protected] ©Richwood 2016