Resolute Mining has signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Ignite Energy Projects Pty Ltd, a leading financier, developer and operator of power projects in Africa, for the development of a new 40 MW independent solar hybrid power plant at the company’s Syama gold mine in Mali. The Syama Solar Hybrid Power Plant will combine solar, battery, and heavy fuel oil (HFO) technologies. The innovative project is expected, when constructed, to be the world’s largest off-grid, fully integrated hybrid power plant for a stand-alone mining operation. It also opens the way for potential future expansion of battery storage and solar plant to accommodate the mine’s future electric automated fleet.
The new power plant will replace the existing historic 28 MW diesel fired power station at Syama and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2020. The new Syama power solution will be funded and constructed under an Independent Power Producer (IPP) model whereby Ignite Energy, under the terms of an exclusive Power Purchase Agreement, will be responsible for the design, construction, ownership, funding, and operation of the new Solar Hybrid Power Facility on an exclusive basis and will supply power to Resolute on a guaranteed basis subject to a maximum tariff over a term of between 12 and 20 years.
The new solar hybrid power solution is expected to generate savings of up to 40% on the current operating costs of power at Syama. In addition to higher efficiencies of the solar hybrid solution, the replacement of Resolute’s existing diesel generated power plant will reduce reliance on, and exposure to, diesel prices. The new power facility will also provide
significant environmental benefits including lower carbon emissions as a result of solar power generation and the greater efficiencies of integrated battery storage hybrid technology and improved engine technologies.
Managing Director and CEO, John Welborn, was pleased to announce the signing of the JDA following a comprehensive
global evaluation process seeking the most cost effective, environmentally friendly power solution for Syama: “Resolute
aims to be a leader in mining innovation and to promote responsible and sustainable positive economic growth in Africa. The partnership with Ignite Energy to develop a low cost solar hybrid power solution for Syama will establish the company
as a global leader in energy solutions for the mining sector. The project is entirely consistent with our ongoing efforts to use innovation and technology to optimise and enhance our Syama operations and deliver exceptional outcomes for our shareholders.”
He added: “The scale of this project will be a world first – a unique combination of solar, battery, and HFO storage and generation capacity which will provide Syama with long term low cost electricity with minimal capital requirements. The Syama Solar Hybrid Power Plant will deliver long term electricity cost savings of up to 40% at Syama while reducing carbon emissions and providing tangible benefits to local Mali communities. The project is a key component of delivering the expected sub-$750 per ounce All-in-Sustaining-Cost for the Syama Underground Gold Mine.”
The new Syama Solar Hybrid Power Plant solution will comprise an advanced combination of modern Solar PhotoVoltaic generation (Solar PV), HFO based generation, and battery-based energy management system. HFO fuel costs can be up to 50% lower than diesel with larger modern generating units substantially more efficient than Resolute’s current engines. The addition of a component of sustainable environmentally friendly low cost power from Solar PV, and the use of batteries to provide spinning reserve and manage loads more efficiently, is projected to result in a substantial reduction in Syama power costs. The addition of a new lower cost power solution was incorporated into Resolute’s Updated Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS Update) for Syama and was a key component in the reduction of Life of Mine All-In Sustaining Cost for the Syama Underground Gold Mine to $746/oz.
The DFS Update contemplated a new Syama power solution to be operational by 2020 that would enable incremental reduction in power costs with a consequential material impact in operating costs. The tariffs contemplated in the JDA with Ignite Energy are consistent with the cost savings modelled in the DFS Update. The development of advanced, efficient and more environmentally friendly power solutions is consistent with Resolute’s broader intention to build and operate mines which utilise currently available advanced mature technologies, and which also anticipate and facilitate future developments and improvements. Lower cost self-generated power provides significant advantages for Syama, including the opportunity to provide social and economic benefits for the region.
The JDA sets out the terms and conditions of the development phase of the power project which will result in the signing of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The PPA sets out that the new Syama Solar Hybrid Power Plant will be designed, constructed, owned, and operated by the IPP on an exclusive basis and will supply power to Resolute on a guaranteed basis subject to a maximum tariff over a term of between 12 and 20 years. The PPA is expected to be finalised in the first half of 2019 allowing for a staged development of the Solar Hybrid Power Plant to commence in 2019 and be commissioned during 2020 as per the expectations in the Syama DFS Update.
