NEW: Buhera community to benefit from Sabi Star Mine’s power plant

Online Reporter

VILLAGERS in Buhera North are set to benefit from a 15 megawatt (MW) thermal power plant being set up by Sabi Star Mine.

The US$25 million thermal power plant, which is 80 percent complete, seeks to boost power generation for the lithium mining company.

Sabi Star Mine is running on heavy-duty generators, which are costly for fuel and maintenance.

The mine’s manager, Engineer Oswald Makonese, said the power plant will be fully integrated by mid-year.

“We made massive progress last year. Civil works are 80 percent complete. We have already taken delivery of all the machinery and equipment for the power plant,” he said.

“What is left is just for us to assemble the power equipment. We are pleased with the progress made so far.

“The mine system has a requirement of 12MW and there are plans to feed the additional 3MW into the national grid for the benefit of the nearby community.

Eng Makonese said the power plant will have mechanisms to minimise potential environmental hazards.

At full capacity, Sabi Star Mine is expected to produce 300 000 tonnes of lithium concentrate every year, thereby generating revenue in excess of US$600 million.