To counteract the effects of load shedding on key community services, Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen Mine has recently acquired five emergency generators to ensure critical service delivery is not severely interrupted.
Vital points that need back-up power were identified: the Khai Appel Pump Station, the old Kathu Water Tower, the Kathu Water Treatment Plant, the Kathu Traffic Department and the Lenmed Hospital.
At the cost of just over R11 million, the five generators (1 x 100 kVA, 3 x 250 kVA and 1 x 330 kVA) will be paired with security features to deter vandalism and ensure continued and unabated emergency power supply to secure service delivery.
The project was led by Sishen’s Socio-Economic Development and Engineering sections. Cynthia Phota, section manager for electrical services at Sishen Mine, said through the installation of these generators, measures were put in place to ensure the well-being of the community is not greatly impacted by power outages.
George Benjamin, corporate affairs and social performance manager, said this intervention was about working towards common goals with the aim to positively impact the daily lives of people.
“The health and well-being of our communities is of importance to us and we hope these generators reduce the impact of load shedding on critical services and allow them to operate unrestricted,” he said.
