Nordgold Launches New Power Plant at its Lefa Gold Mine in Guinea

24 August 2022

Nordgold Group («Nordgold» or the «Company»), the internationally diversified gold producer, is pleased to announce the launch of a new 33 megawatt power plant at its Lefa mine — one of the largest gold mines in Guinea.

The US$ 30 million project was designed and constructed by China’s leading manufacturing service group SUMEC, a key member of China National Machinery Industry Corporation (SINOMACH).

The new heavy fuel oil (HFO) power plant has replaced the old facility, in turn reducing both fuel consumption for electricity production by 15% and engine oil by 30%. This will result in a 17,000-ton reduction of greenhouse gas emissions per year, which is in line with Nordgold’s climate change objectives as well as its commitments to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest shipbuilding company and leading manufacture of heavy industry machinery, provided the power plant’s main generating equipment. The power plant will enable a significant reduction in operating costs, in addition to enhancing the stability of the electricity supply for over 15 years Lefa’s life of mine. Moreover, the installation of the latest fire detection systems will increase employee safety.

During construction, hundreds of additional jobs were created and main essential construction materials including sand, cement, gravel amongst others were sourced locally from Guinean suppliers.

«I am delighted to report we have completed construction of Lefa’s new power plant. I would like to thank our partners from SUMEC and Hyundai and the team on the ground who brought this ambitious project in just 18 months. We have achieved this success despite the challenging times of a global pandemic. The power plant enables us to both decrease greenhouse gas emissions and provide sustainable power generation for our Lefa mine, supporting potential expansion of the mine’s resources in the region. We remain committed to investing in Guinea and to deliver knowledge transfer on advanced technology into Africa.»

Brian NelLefa’s new power plant project manager

For more details on this new state-of-the-art facility please watch our video:

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About Lefa

Nordgold acquired the Lefa mine in 2010. Since then, the Company has invested almost US$1.5 billion into the country thereby maintaining its position as one of Guinea’s leading gold producers. From 2011 to 2021, Nordgold paid Guinea more than US$250 million in corporate taxes and royalties and Lefa provides direct employment to more than 1,300 employees, as well as over 1000 indirect jobs. The Lefa mine has also invested significantly to improve the provision of local health and education services, including the deployment of new medical facilities and construction of 40 schools.

About Nordgold

Nordgold is an internationally diversified one million ounce gold producer with about 8,000 people operating a portfolio of eight mines (in Russia, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Kazakhstan) and a number of development and exploration projects in Russia, West Africa and the Americas. Since its foundation in 2007, Nordgold has established a global reputation as a leading developer of tier one gold mining assets with a proven commitment to community engagement, sustainability, efficiency and operating in an environmentally responsible manner. Since 2013, Nordgold has successfully constructed three gold mines, including two in Burkina Faso (Bouly and Bissa) and most recently, the Gross mine in Russia.

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