Sishen Solar PV Project

  • Sishen is a 14km-long, open-cast mine with 13 active pits, owned and operated by Kumba Iron Ore, a subsidiary of Anglo American.
  • Location: Sishen Iron Ore Mine, 30km from Kathu, Northern Cape.
  • The mine produces high-grade iron ore, with annual production regularly exceeding 25 million tonnes.
  • It also hosts the world's largest dense media separation (DMS) jig plant.
  • In 2023, the mine commenced rehabilitation of the G80 Rock Dump with the objective of transforming disturbed land into productive land suitable for renewable energy infrastructure. The Solar PV was pivotal to this rehabilitation.
  • Previously disturbed mining land is being transformed into productive, energy-generating infrastructure supplying directly into the energy system of one of South Africa's major industrial operations.
  • Offtaker: Sishen Mine, under a long-term agreement with Kumba Iron Ore.
  • Equity partners: Anglo American, EDF Power Solutions and the Sishen Iron Ore Company-Community Development Trust.
  • Lenders: Nedbank and ABSA.
Represents a total investment of more than
R1 BILLION
The project is located on the G80 Waste Rock Dump within the Sishen Iron Ore Mine, one of the world's premier large-scale mining operations. The waste-rock dump covers 100 hectares and reaches heights of more than 70 metres above natural ground level.
Project Spec
72.5 MWp max export
143,633 MWh annual generation
Has reached financial close
Construction start: early August 2026
It connects directly into Sishen Mine's internal electrical network. This reduces reliance on constrained public grid infrastructure, improves energy security, minimises transmission losses, and supports decarbonisation objectives at source.

Highlights

72.5 MWp
of clean energy capacity to Sishen mine.
Clean energy capacity
The renewable electricity supplied will displace coal-fired grid power across Sishen Mine's operations.
150,000 MWH
of renewable electricity per year, cutting Sishen mine's CO₂ footprint by 140,000 tonnes annually.
Grid displacement

Engineering

A mobile adjustable substation manages ground settlement, an innovative solution that differentiates this project from typical greenfield facilities.

Community Empowerment

The Sishen Iron Ore Company-Community Development Trust (SIOC-CDT) will lead the community development initiatives for the project. It also owns a 10% equity stake in the project. The Solar PV project will support the Sishen mine and align on supporting key initiatives aligned to the community's needs.