MBOMBELA – The municipality is planning to set up an energy plant in partnership with Manganese Metal Company (MMC).
To this end, four council members and officials of Mbombela Local Municipality (MLM) recently undertook an exploration into developing the planned microwave plasma gasification energy-generation plant. This was to Brazil at a cost of R171 924 to the municipality.
The acting municipal manager, Mr Sello Ditshego noted that the invitation for the trip was extended on short notice, and hence the councillors were sent off without council’s prior approval.
Mr Bheki Zulu, MMC for local economic development, Mr DD Mabuza, general manager of the department, Mr MB Thwala, senior manager in electrical engineering and Mr A Shabangu manager of waste management services, went on the trip at the end of July. It was noted in the microwave-plasma-gasification report to council that the expenses of travelling and accommodation totalled R42 981 per person.
It is to be considered unforeseen and unavoidable expenditure. According to the report, the plant will aim to address MMC’s electricity costs. It is to be co-owned by MMC, MLM and other venture capitalists. The initial model is expected to generate 20MW-45MW for MMC and costs about R500 million. However, the municipality is expected to contribute only value-chain processes and perform waste removal.
The report has also noted that the company makes a large contribution to the local economy, earning up to $80 million per annum, contributing R405 million to taxes over the past six years, paying R146 million to staff in the past financial year, and investing about R750 million in the economy.
