Viaspace Inc. signed a project agreement and received initial funding from Selectra CC of Johannesburg South Africa. CEO Dr. Carl Kukkonen delivered Giant King Grass to the country, supervised the first planting, and held business meetings with Selectra and their partners.
Selectra develops sustainable bioenergy projects throughout Africa, but is considering biogass and direct combustions biomass power plants. The company obtained an import permit from the South African government for Giant King Grass that required detailed inspection and treatment. Accordingly, US agriculture officials inspected the Viaspace nursery in California and witnessed the treatment required by South Africa, and then issued the phytosanitary certificate stating that the Giant King Grass was free of disease and pests.
The first specific project for Selectra is to produce energy on land that has been affected by mining in South Africa. The companies are conducting two trials, namely on mine affected land and on mine tailings.
Kukkonen stated, "South Africa has a good climate for Giant King Grass and we are pleased to be working with Selectra. We are certain that Giant King Grass will grow well on the unmined land, and are hopeful about the prospects for bio remediation of the mine dumps and tailings. The Giant King Grass test plantings will tell us whether Giant King Grass will grow on dumps and tailings or not. We cannot guarantee the results, but if Giant King Grass can be successfully grown on mine affected land, this will represent another very large market."
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