FG Gold and CrossBoundary Energy have announced a new agreement to develop a large-scale hybrid energy solution at the Baomahun Gold Mine in Sierra Leone.
The hybrid energy plant at Baomahun Gold Mine will consist of 21MW thermal plant, 23.8MW solar PV, and a 13.8MWh/13MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). At project completion, renewable energy will supply up to 90% of the mine demand during daylight hours and avoid approximately 380,000 tonnes in CO2 emissions over 20 years.
The Baomahun Gold Mine project, located in the Valunia and Kunike Barina Chiefdoms of Sierra Leone, represents the first large-scale commercial gold project in the country. This project is poised to become a model for sustainable mining operations, reflective of FG Gold’s intent to maximize its renewable energy usage.
The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Mining Indaba, where stakeholders in the African mining sector gathered to discuss major industry themes, including sustainability and renewable energy.
CrossBoundary Energy will fully finance the development and construction of the renewable energy solution at Baomahun Gold Mine. Construction of the hybrid renewable energy facilities at the Baomahun Gold Mine is scheduled to commence in Q2 2024.
Matt Fredericks, Global Head of Mining at CrossBoundary Energy, said, “This collaboration with FG Gold at the Baomahun Gold Mine is a testament to our commitment to accelerating the renewable energy transition in mining. Our innovative hybrid energy solution will not only provide cleaner and more cost-effective power but also set a new standard for sustainable mining practices in Africa.”