Power crisis cuts mine operations in Ghana

Tuesday, 30 March, 1999 - 22:00
A major hurdle for Red Back Mining NL (RBK) to overcome will be the power crisis currently underway in Ghana. This has affected Ranger’s operations at Damang mine.

The power crisis has resulted from a drought induced reduction in output from the country’s principal hydroelectric supply at the Akosombo dam site (900 MW down to 360 MW), exacerbated by the failure in early March 1998 of one of the two thermal power units recently installed at Takoradi and a major shortfall in the expected 100 MW from neighbouring country Cote d’Ivoire.

Short-term measures adopted by government and industry involve purchase or leasing of diesel generators to augment or replace the grid power.

Proposed longer term solutions are aimed at reducing reliance on the hydroelectric supply but it would seem likely the national grid will be unable to fully service the country for some time.