The €200,000 (US$226,000) lightweight solar system will be delivered by London-based clean technology firm Verditek to Black Tulip Minerals' plant in Los Lomas, north Peru.

The solar panels, which will be used as part of a diesel-solar hybrid system, are to be shipped in September 2020.

Black Tulip Minerals' plant will be starting with a 50 t/d processing target, but aims to gradually increase this to 250 t/d within three years - a significant ramp-up that will require additional solar system components from Verditek.

"This project, although modest in size, is only the first phase of a multi-phase project as Black Tulip increase the capacity of their processing plant, said Robert Richards, commercial director of Verditek. "Verditek is confident of securing the additional phases in the coming months." 

Black Tulip has now completed an efficiency upgrade and reinstatement of the mineral processing plant with a full refurbishment to all existing machinery, following work with SRK consulting on the project.

The company is working on a Phase 2, which will see a 'safe harbour' collection centre built for the ore. The collection site will be used for weighing, assaying and storing ore, and for artisanal miners to present formalisation documents in line with the Peruvian Governments formalisation initiative.

Black Tulip is also planning to develop more low carbon footprint processing projects in the country using solar technology, following the blueprint established by the Los Lomas plant, a company spokesperson told MM.