First e-bus in Namibia
Namdeb diamond mining company has taken delivery of the first electric bus in Namibia. The arrival of the bus in Oranjemund, which cost more than N$8 million, is in line with Namdeb's sustainability philosophy and the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2030.Namdeb CEO Riaan Burger highlighted the company's commitment to a sustainable future and explained that the e-bus is a way to create a carbon neutral future for Namdeb. “The introduction of new technology requires new skills and provides an opportunity to build capacity and retrain drivers and mechanics to operate and maintain the e-bus.”
The arrival of the electric bus marks the start of a pilot program designed to reduce diesel consumption. Namdeb notes that about 30 drivers and 15 mechanics will undergo driving and maintenance training, with 50% of training already completed since the arrival of the e-bus.
The bus is currently being tested in Oranjemund, where it is being prepared to ensure its safety and operational readiness. It is expected to be fully operational upon successful completion of the testing phase and ready for deployment in the southern coastal mines of Namdeb in January 2024. The e-bus has a battery that can travel at least 250 km on a single charge, even with the air conditioning on.
The mining company is now exploring the possibility of procuring six more similar buses over the next two years.