Maris Africa’s high-grade gold producer, Mopani Gold, is gearing up for a substantial increase in production at the Venice Mine Complex (VMC) situated in Kadoma, Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe. The company’s strategic vision includes tripling underground ore production, upgrading processing facilities, and implementing a world-class Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy.
During a mine visit at the Venice Complex Mine in January 2024, Mopani Gold’s Chief Executive Officer, Marc Nicolle, shared insights into the company’s plans. The Venice Mine is currently in a transitional phase between two primary sources of ore. Firstly, the company is concluding the re-processing of six historic tailings dumps on-site, collectively containing 2.1 million tons of material. Simultaneously, Mopani Gold is intensifying underground mining operations across several mines within the complex, following substantial investments over the past few years.
In its commitment to sustainability, VMC has engaged Equator Energy to establish a solar plant, aiming to secure a reliable power supply. The nearly 1MW plant currently powers over half of the mine’s electricity needs during peak production. Nicolle highlighted the recent expansion of the VMC solar plant, which now features 11 inverters. Notably, the company has employed local women to maintain the solar panels, ensuring optimal power production.
Nicolle emphasized the potential for mining companies to adopt a strategic approach by allowing power companies to invest in and set up electricity infrastructure on their premises. This collaborative model enables mining companies to purchase power from these investments, fostering sustainable and efficient energy solutions within the mining sector.
