The Wärtsilä Group, supplier of power generation equipment, announced on Tuesday that it will provide an 18 MW extension to the power generation facility and will upgrade the plant’s electrical and automation system. electricity from the Sabodala-Massawa gold mining complex in Senegal, which is owned by Endeavor Mining, a major global gold producer.
This project will be delivered under a comprehensive engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract.
“The Sabodala-Massawa mine is the largest producing gold mine in Senegal and is located in the east of the country in the Kedougou region. The mine expansion will transform Sabodala-Massawa into a gold asset of first order with increased production,” reads the statement from the Wärtsilä Group.
Regional Director for West Africa, Marc Thiriet, said: “Wärtsilä has extensive experience in power supply solutions for mining operations around the world. Being off-grid means the plant has to be able to provide a reliable supply of electricity at all times, because without electricity there is no production.Wärtsilä 32 engines have earned a solid reputation for efficiency and reliability, even in the most difficult conditions, thus eliminating revenue losses due to power outages”.
The document sent to PressAfrik points out that “the three Wärtsilä 32 engines will have an energy efficiency 20% higher than that of the engines currently used in the plant. Their energy efficiency will minimize the environmental impact by reducing CO2 emissions. In addition to their performance, they will enable a smooth transition to integrating solar power and energy storage into the system” and that the project is expected to be completed and commissioned by the end of 2023.
