On Monday 19, 2018, Iamgold announced that it had launched the hybrid plant of Essakane (15 MW) on March 16, which should supply its gold mine in the same region.

Many officials such as Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, the Minister of Mines and Energy, members of the Government and local communities’ representatives were present for the launching ceremony.

The construction of this plant, made of about 130,000 photovoltaic panels, was conducted by the energy company EREN Renewable Energy. It will be added to the 57 MW heavy fuel oil (HFO) power plant existing on the mine, creating the largest hybrid solar/thermal power plant in the world and one of the largest solar facilities in sub-Saharan Africa.

“The transition to generating more of our energy from renewable sources has been central to Iamgold's new energy strategy for several years now. The inauguration of the hybrid solar/thermal power plant is a new milestone in innovation and excellence and one of which we are particularly proud,” commented Stephen Letwin the company’s CEO.

Let’s note that in 2017, Iamgold produced 389, 000 oz of gold on the mine through its subsidiary in Burkina Faso, Iamgold Essakane S.A.

Louis-Nino Kansoun