Tati Nickel to surpass BCL on power consumption

The survey shows that by 2009/10, the power consumption at peak load from Tati Nickel would have doubled amid the power crisis that has engulfed the country. Currently at peak load, the mines use 39 mega watts (MW) of power and next year they will require 81 MW. Tati Nickel owns Phoenix and Selkirk mines in the north east of Francistown near Matsiloje.This will see Tati become the largest power consumer in the country, surpassing BCL, which consumes 65 MW for its underground mining and smelting. The power demand at Tati Nickel is on the increase due to the ongoing construction of the Activox project adjacent to Phoenix Mine.

BPC has already contracted a South African company to connect a power grid from Pokoje Station near Selibe-Phikwe to the Activox refinery. Tati Nickel is also to start open-pit mining at Selkirk by 2010.