Calidus Resources, which owns the Warrawoona Gold Project located in the East Pilbara district of the Pilbara Goldfield in Western Australia, is on track to become Australia’s next gold producer in the June quarter of 2022. The company announced Monday its agreement with Zenith Pacific for the construction of a 4MW solar farm with 3.5MW battery energy storage system at Warrawoona.
The renewables will be combined with an 11MW gas-fired power station powered by LNG gensets that can use up to 25% hydrogen. This facility is currently under construction by Zenith.
The gas fired power station, solar farm and battery system are components of a Power Supply Agreement (PPA) inked with Zenith by Cadilus in furtherance of its environmental objectives at Warrawoona.
The mine is rated to produce up to 105,000 ounces of gold annually and boasts of a post-tax payback period of only 15 months on a capital budget of $120 million, assuming the price of gold at $2,355 per ounce.
Calidus Managing Director Dave Reeves said the renewable micro grid was a cornerstone of the company’s carbon reduction plan and in line with its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives.
Sources: ASX Announcement and The West Australian
Image: Overall Site View of Warrawoona (Calidus)