Distributed renewable energy developer, CrossBoundary Energy, is set to develop a hybrid energy plant at FG Gold’s Baomahun Gold Mine in Sierra Leone following the signing of a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the gold producer last week.
According to CrossBoundary Energy, the hybrid power plant will consist of 21 MW thermal plant, 23.8MW solar PV, and a 13.8MWh/13MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
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.
The renewables developer highlighted that renewable energy will supply up to 90% of the mine’s electricity demand during daylight hours, which will help avoid approximately 380,000 tonnes in CO2 emissions over 20 years.
“CBE is proud to be providing FG Gold with a fully financed hybrid power solution for the Baomahun Gold Project. FG Gold’s decision to pursue a solar hybrid power plant over a traditional thermal power plant is testament to their focus on sustainability and desire to have a positive impact within Sierra Leone,” said Matthew Tilleard, Managing Partner of CrossBoundary Group.
“Renewable energy-led solutions are quickly becoming the norm for power supply in the mining sector owing to their cost effectiveness, decreased fuel reliance and reduction in carbon emissions, and CBE looks forward to further supporting the industry’s decarbonisation efforts,” added Tilleard.
Pioneering sustainable mining in Sierra Leone
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 West African country. The mining project, according to FG Gold, is poised to become a model for sustainable mining operations, reflective of its intent to maximise its renewable energy usage.
“FG Gold is committed to pioneering sustainable and responsible mining practices. Our partnership with CrossBoundary Energy in the Baomahun Gold Mine project underscores this commitment, as we aim to harness the power of renewable energy for a greener future in mining,” said Oliver Andrews, Executive Chairman at FG Gold.
Construction of the hybrid power plant is scheduled to commence in Q2 2024. The hybrid power plant will be fully financed by CrossBoundary Energy.
The project adds to CrossBoundary Energy’s growing portfolio of renewable energy projects within the African mining sector. The company is currently delivering a portfolio of over US$450M of renewable energy assets for its clients, of which US$150M are mining clients. CrossBoundary Energy’s clients in the mining sector include Rio Tinto, NextSource Materials, and Syrah Resources.
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.”
