Resolute Mining has signed a joint development agreement with Africa-focused power developer Ignite Energy to set up a 40-megawatt hybrid solar, battery and fuel oil plant at its Syama gold mine in Mali.
Resolute Mining has signed a joint development agreement with Africa-focused power developer Ignite Energy to set up a 40-megawatt hybrid solar, battery and fuel oil plant at its Syama gold mine in Mali.
The new power plant will replace the existing 28MW diesel fired power station at Syama and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2020.
In a statement to the ASX, Resolute said the new solar hybrid power solution would be expected to generate savings of up to 40 per cent on the current operating costs of power at Syama
The move follows a growing shift in the mining sector from diesel-fired power stations to hybrid solar diesel.
In June 2016, Sandfire Resources completed a $40 million solar power project that integrated 34,080 solar PV panels with a diesel-fired power station.
This year, Zenith Energy announced it would incorporate a solar facility in its existing diesel power station at Independence Group’s Nova operation in the Fraser Range.
Resolute managing director John Welborn said the hybrid plant would be cost effective and align with the company’s goals of being an environment-conscious miner.
“Resolute aims to be a leader in mining innovation and to promote responsible and sustainable positive economic growth in Africa,” he said.
“The project is a key component of delivering the expected sub-$US750 per ounce all-in-sustaining-cost for the Syama underground gold mine.”
Resolute’s shares were flat at 96 cents by the close of trade.
