Mining firms acquire own power resource

A consortium of mining firms; Anglogold Ashanti, Golden Star, Newmont and Gold Fields Ghana says an 80 megawatt power plant they have procured to serve as a reserve electricity source will also contribute to national power supply.

The Energy and Business Planning Manager of Newmont Ghana, Joshua Mortoti who is also in charge of the project said the about 45 million-dollar plant will become operational by June.

Mr. Mortoti said the current energy crisis has pushed up mining companies' cost of doing business with most of them spending an average of 2 million dollars monthly on diesel.

The Chief Executive of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Madam Joyce Aryee pledged the support of the mining sector to national energy development efforts during the period of the power crisis.

She said this explains why the consortium has decided to bear the cost (plant and its installation) of the project. The plant has a diesel consumption capacity of 700,000 litres.