In the News:
- Power outages now pose as the biggest operational risk for mining operations across Africa
- Mines are adopting hybrid and on-site power systems to manage unreliable grid supply
- Case studies show how alternative energy solutions support continuous operations
Continued unreliable electricity supply has emerged as the major concern for mining operators across Africa, a new report has shown.
According to Wärtsilä’s 2025 Mining Energy Solutions Report, mines on the continent now increasingly face rising thermal energy costs, the need to manage irregular renewable power, limited fuel infrastructure, and large changes in power demand.
The report notes that in many places like Congo, South Africa and Zimbabwe, fuel infrastructure remains limited, making consistent electricity supply a critical operational concern.
In addition, high temperatures, dust, and scarce water resources further increase the vulnerability of mining operations to power interruptions.
Africa has the highest electricity deficit globally, with more than 600 million people still living without access to any form of power supply.
For miners on the continent, the challenge is even more disturbing, as abrupt power outages pose immediate life threatening risks to operators in the region, the report says.
According to ReliefWeb, a mining tracking firm, Africa recorded the highest number of mining casualties in 2024, driven by factors such as violence and workplace injuries.
Electricity raises mining cost
Moreover, the report adds that unreliable electricity also raises the cost of operation in Africa’s minng sector.
Wärtsilä’ says that short interruptions can affect mining operations. They can halt production lines and stress-sensitive processing equipment for weeks and even months.
Mines relying solely on diesel or heavy fuel oil face additional cost pressures. Fuel price volatility and logistical challenges increase operating expenses.
Meanwhile, data from Wärtsilä indicate that hybrid or on-site generation can reduce exposure to outages. These systems help mines maintain continuous operations and control costs.
Weak grid infrastructure not only increase operating costs but also undermines safety systems critical for underground workers and processing reliability, the report says.
Across Africa, flexible generation solutions are increasingly being adopted.
In Mali and other Sahelian states, gold mines combine solar arrays with backup generation, cutting fuel dependency.
African countries adopting hybrid solutions
Several African mines are adopting hybrid or on-site power systems to reduce risks from unreliable grid supply.
At Essakane Gold Mine in Burkina Faso, Africa’s largest engine-solar PV hybrid plant combines a 55 MW engine plant with a 15 MW solar array. The solar array provides daytime energy, while the engine plant ensures continuous supply.
At Grande Côte in Senegal, the off-grid mine operates four engine sets that switch between oil and gas. The system handles variable energy demand while minimizing water use and protecting equipment from dust and high temperatures.
Geita Gold Mine in Tanzania installed a 40 MW engine power plant with an Operation & Maintenance agreement. Wärtsilä reports that all performance targets, including availability, net heat rate, and capacity, were exceeded.
International examples also show the effectiveness of these systems.
At Barrick Gold Mine Quisqueya in the Dominican Republic, two plants with flexible engines generate 430 MW, allowing generation to match load precisely.
In the United States, Barrick Goldstrike Mine runs a 116 MW baseload gas plant efficiently under high-altitude, hot, and dry conditions.
In short, power reliability remains a central concern for Africa’s mining sector. Projects such as Essakane, Grande Côte, Geita, and Barrick demonstrate that hybrid and independent energy systems can provide continuous electricity in remote and challenging environments.
