Guinea’s Gold Producer Nordgold Group validated a 33 MW Power Plant at Lefa

By Abdul Rahman Bangura –

Photo Credit: Associated Electric Cooperative

NEW AFRICA BUSINESS NEWS ( NABN ) Freetown, Sierra Leone- Renowned gold producer in Guinea, Nordgold Group has ratified an engineering, procurement and construction agreement to design and construct a 33 MW power plant at Lefa Mine, which is believed; it’s the biggest gold mines in Guinea.

Yet, the approval is with China’s manufacturing service group SUMEC – a key partner of China National Machinery Industry Corporation (SINOMACH). The recent heavy fuel oil (HFO) power plant will reinstate the prevailing power, virtually lessening both fuel consumption for electricity production by 15% and engine oil by 30%.

Apparently, this will emerge in a 17,000 deduction of greenhouse gas emissions per year, which is in a string with Nordgold’s climate change expectations as well as its obligations to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest shipbuilding company and leading manufacture of heavy industry machinery, is empowering the power plant’s central generating equipment. The power plant will facilitate a substantial decrease in operating costs, in addition to strengthening the strength of the electricity supply for over fifteen years Lefa’s life of mine. In addendum, the inauguration of the latest fire detection operations will improve employee protection.

$23 million is virtually predicted for the layout and building of the undertaking to stretch roughly with the power parent anticipated to be finalized by the end of 2021. In this circumstance, hundreds of other jobs will be established and the fundamental basic construction equipment’s including sand, cement, gravel amongst others will be sourced locally from Guinean suppliers.

“Even during these challenging times, we remain committed to investing in Guinea. The new power plant is an important investment as it enables us to both decrease greenhouse gas emissions and provide sustainable power generation for our Lefa mine,” tells Nikolai Zelenski, Chief Executive Officer of Nordgold.

“Nordgold acquired the Lefa Mine in 2010. Since then, the company has financed more than US$1 billion into the country, thereby maintaining its position as one of Guinea’s leading gold producers.”

“From 2011 to 2019, Nordgold paid Guinea US$200 million in corporate taxes and royalties and Lefa provides direct employment to nearly 1,200 employees as well as over 1,000 indirect jobs.”

“The Lefa mine has also capitalized considerably to expand the provision of local health and education services, including the deployment of new medical facilities and construction of 40 schools.”