Canada-based Orezone Gold said Wednesday its Bombore gold project would become the first mine in Burkina Faso to use LNG to power its operations.
The firm said it has signed a power purchase agreement with Genser Energy Burkina for the supply of “clean energy” electrical power.
The unit of US-based Genser will use liquefied natural gas to power the plant, augmented with a staged solar plant, according to Orezone.
Moreover, the power plant will consist of six 2.5MW LNG generators with four 2.6MW diesel back-up units.
This configuration would fit the initial oxide operation and the planned sulphide expansion, Orezone said.
Also, Gener will install a solar photovoltaic plant of up to 14MWp in stages with an 11kV powerline to connect the gas and backup diesel generators, and solar plant.
Genser will design, permit, finance, and install all power generating equipment and associated infrastructure including LNG storage but also diesel storage terminals.
Orezone says the Bombore project would have an annual gold production of 118,000 ounces over a 13+ year mine life.
It said the gold project remains on track for first gold pour in the third quarter of 2022.