The power needs of Africa’s most dynamic economic growth sector, mining, already significantly exceed available electricity supplies from national utilities. Many mining companies are thus forced to resort to various forms of self-supply. This study seeks to investigate the barriers to mining and power being developed on an integrated national basis, thereby potentially unlocking both short-term and long-term savings in power costs while at the same time improving reliability. Working with a specialised mining consultancy, SRK (Southern Africa), case studies will be produced of eight countries (four to be visited – Guinea, DRC, Tanzania and Mozambique and four desk studies – Mauritania, Ghana, Cameroon and Zambia).