DRC: CMOC envisages solar and hydroelectricity to support the increase in its production of Co-Cobalt in Tenke

(Ecofin agency) - Faced with pressures to reduce the carbon footprint of their activities, mining companies have been turning for a few years towards renewable energies.In the DRC, we find in particular Ivanhoe Mines at the Hydroelectric dam from Inga II and China Molybdenum to that of Nseke.

The China Molybdenum Co (CMOC) mining company wants to invest more in the DRC hydroelectric and solar potential.This is at least what Steele Li, director of investments of the Chinese company active at the Copper-Cobalt Tenke Fungurume, declared at the Reuters Impact conference organized by the COP26 COP26 COP26.

"We have a specialized team that is currently studying the possibilities of hydroelectric projects around the world, because we think it will be one of the main areas where we will talk about green energy," he said in particular.

These statements come two months after China Molybdenum's announcement to double its annual copper and cobalt production in Tenke Fungurume by 2023, thanks to an investment of $ 2.5 billion.To support the expansion of the mine, the company wants to obtain the surplus of energy necessary to leave renewable energies.

While China Molybdenum is already involved in the renovation of the Nseke hydroelectric dam, M.Li has indeed specified that the company explores "other new hydroelectric projects" in the country, but that solar also represents an alternative.It must be said that in a context where mining companies set up plans to reduce their carbon footprint, the use of renewable energies has become the norm.

Tenke Fungurume produced 182,600 tonnes of copper and 15,400 tonnes of cobalt last year.

Emiliano Tossou

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