Australia’s Predictive Discovery, the developer of the Bankan gold project in Guinea, has outlined how it plans to power the proposed mine site
It will incorporate a hybrid model, built around a thermal power source, as well as an additional solar energy plant, an increasingly common set up for remote mine sites in recent years.
“Power for the project will be generated through a heavy fuel oil (HFO) power plant in combination with a solar farm,” the company reported after announcing the results of its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) on Bankan.
It highlights the continued pull of HFO power plants as a dependable source of electricity for critical and remote mining and industrial applications in West Africa.
The full capital cost of the entire Bakan project, which will include open-pit and underground mining, is estimated at US$463mn, which includes pre-production operating costs, indirect costs and a US$34mn contingency.
Construction is expected to take two years, commencing in Q2 2026, enabling the start of commercial production in Q2 2028.
Andrew Pardey, Predictive Discovery’s managing director, said the Bankan project will be developed into “one of the largest gold mines in West Africa in a generation.”
Furthermore, he said Bankan will generate extensive benefits for the host country, with government revenues totalling approximately US$2bn across the mine’s life plus potential upside from current gold prices and future mine life extensions.
The project will also create significant job opportunities, with a peak construction workforce of around 1,500 personnel and an operational workforce of 1,100 personnel.
The next task for Pardey and his team is to secure the Exploitation Permit from the government, and then commence the financing process to fund the project, as well as advance talks with contractors ahead of tendering for work and equipment.
Read more:
Africa's gold rush accelerates growth
Sany powers Zimbabwe with reliable diesel generators
Kamoa copper and Crossboundary Energy partner for renewable mining power
Bankan HFO power project emerges
Guinea's Bankan project advances
