Roxgold is a gold exploration and development company with its key asset, the Yaramoko Gold Project, located in Burkina Faso and expected to commence production in Q2 2016. Paul Criddle is the company’s Chief Operating Officer and will be discussing energy challenges for mining operators at Energy and Mines’ Toronto Summit (Oct 22-23). Here, he outlines mining’s key energy challenges and sheds light on how operators think about energy options.
Q: What would you describe as your top three energy challenges for your operations today?
A: Our top challenges are the availability and reliability of grid power; the actual mine life vs alternative supply agreement durations and matching the pace of implementation of these agreements (grid offtake or other) to be in sync with the overall project development timeline.
Q: Are you currently exploring alternative solutions to address these challenges?
A: Yes we are for backup supply and alternative supplementary options.
Q: What are some of the common misconceptions about the way mining operators think about power?
A: That diesel is the only answer to grid supply. Many operators now look at a variety of alternatives.
Q: What are you looking forward to at the 3rd annual Energy and Mines Toronto Summit on October 22-23?
A: Having access to a variety of providers in a quickly evolving space and workshopping solutions with other operators in a similar situation.