Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) has secured power supply for its Frontier mine in the DRC. The contract was signed by the Société Nationale d’Électricité (“SNEL”), DRC’s national electricity company. According to the contract, power supply of 41 MW will be sourced from ZESCO, the national electricity company of the Republic of Zambia; and Rawbank, a top commercial bank in the DRC.
Frontier mine is a cornerstone of ERG’s copper business and is situated on the DRC-Zambia border. It has an open-cast copper mine and processing facilities to produce copper sulphide concentrate. Furthermore, it treats over 10 Mt of copper sulphide ore annually.
ERG also recently signed a supply agreement for Metalkol SA, a major cobalt and copper tailings reprocessing operation and a low-cost hydro-metallurgical facility owned by ERG. The agreement will see ERG secure its electricity supply or up to 10 years.
The group CEO Benedikt Sobotka said that the new agreement further demonstrates ERG’s commitment to the DRC and Zambia, and further cements their wider strategy on the continent as a whole. He further added that as a group ERG is proud of the strong partnerships formed in Central Africa, such as with ZESCO, which is a well-respected and trustworthy power generation source.
NEL Director General, Jean-Bosco Kayombo Kayan said that the current arrangement guarantees the continuity of the electric power delivery through the arrangements between Frontier, SNEL SA, ZESCO and Rawbank.
He further added that thatin the long run they are looking to supply Frontier from only internal sources in the DRC where existing hydro-electric plants and power lines are currently being rehabilitated.
ZESCO MD, Victor Mundene further acknowledged the signing of the agreement stating that it is evidence of the growing partnership between ZESCO and ERG as well as a vote of confidence in ZESCO’s ability to provide power to operations at Frontier mine.
