Diamantina Power Station Archives - International Mining

APA Group has reached a Final Investment Decision (FID) to build stage two of the Mica Creek Solar Farm in Mount Isa, Queensland, a decision that has brought with it an agreement to supply Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines copper-lead-zinc-silver operations in the state with renewable electricity.

The stage two investment is underpinned by a variation to the existing offtake agreement with APA customer Mount Isa Mines Limited (MIM), a Glencore company, according to APA. The variation adds a new service for the supply of electricity from the Mica Creek Solar Farm for 15 years, requiring additional capital expenditure by APA of around A$70 million ($49.8 million).

FID on stage two, which comprises 44 MW of additional solar power generation, follows APA’s announcement on November 1 that APA had reached FID on stage one of the Mica Creek Solar Farm and entered into an offtake agreement with MMG’s Dugald River operation to supply an initial 44 MW of renewable electricity to the miner. APA’s total investment for both stages of the works is estimated to be around A$150 million.

The second stage of the solar farm is to be co-located on the same site as stage one, near APA’s Diamantina Power Station Complex, on land which is leased from the Queensland Government. The solar farm is expected to be operational by mid-2023.

APA’s solar offtake agreement has been negotiated at a commercially competitive tariff, consistent with utility solar pricing, and will reduce the average delivered cost of power for MIM, APA said.

“This A$150 million investment will support APA’s vision for a world-leading hybrid energy grid in Mount Isa and our aspiration to support the further increases of renewable energy penetration for the region,” APA CEO and Managing Director, Rob Wheals, said.

“The support for the 88 MW Mica Creek Solar Farm demonstrates the enthusiasm of customers in the Mount Isa region for integrated energy solutions that can both meet their energy needs and help reduce their operational emissions.

“With continued strong interest from customers, APA is investigating a potential expansion for a third stage.”

Senex Energy Ltd has announced a sales agreement involving around 7 PJ of natural gas over three years with New Century Resources Ltd.

New Century, which owns and operates the Century zinc mine in Queensland, Australia, will receive this natural gas supply from the Diamantina Power Station in Mount Isa (owned and operated by APA Group), with the 7 PJ being enough to operate the mine, it said.

Under the three-year agreement starting January 1, 2022, Senex will provide around 7 PJ of natural gas to support New Century’s processing operations at a fixed price, in line with current market levels. Senex will further supply around 1 PJ of additional natural gas at New Century’s election by mid-2022 in support of material increases in production levels associated with the potential development of existing in-situ deposits at Century.

Senex Managing Director and CEO, Ian Davies, said: “Century Mine generates significant state royalties and export earnings and is a critical project in the Queensland Government’s Strategic Blueprint for the North West Minerals Province.

“Senex also acknowledges APA as an important part of the value chain delivering energy to Mount Isa.”

Glencore’s Mount Isa ops set for renewable power injection from APA Group

New Century Resources and Senex Energy agree on natural gas supply pact