Centamin, has published an interim decarbonization roadmap to 2030, targeting a 30% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to a 2021 base year. The roadmap is aimed at making Centamin a low-carbon mining business with sources of onsite and imported renewable energy, reductions in absolute energy consumption through operational efficiencies and creative new technological solutions, staged electrification of its mobile fleet, and increased recycling in its supply chain.
Sukari Gold Mine, the company’s sole operating asset, accounts for 99% of the company’s total Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions, making it the focus of Centamin’s climate transition strategy.
Scope 1 and 2 GHG Target: 2030
The roadmap to 2030 includes two carbon abatement projects that will reduce the operational Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 30% by 2030, which are focused on stationary power demand.
The first project is a 20 MWAC solar power expansion, with the strategy involving installing 5 MWAC each year over four years from 2024. The estimated total capital cost for the 20 MWAC solar power expansion is between US$25 million and US$35 million.
The second project is a 50 MWAC grid connection, with early estimated capital costs between US$20 million and US$30 million. The company is currently undergoing a tender process for project construction and supply tariff, and it is targeting the grid connection for 2024.
The company also aims to achieve its climate targets by sourcing clean power for its operation through the procurement or development of renewable energy supply, switching to lower carbon fuels, electrification as an alternative to diesel use, and continuous work to optimize and improve the energy efficiency of all its processes.
Action taken: Scope 1 and 2
As an example, during Q4 of 2022, Sukari accomplished the commissioning of a 36MWDC (30MWAC) solar power plant and a 7MW battery energy storage system, thereby creating a supplementary energy source for Sukari and elevating the renewable portion of the site’s power production to 20%.
The installation of this solar power plant is estimated to conserve up to 70,000 liters of diesel per day, which corresponds to an annual reduction of 60,000 tCO2-e in Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions.
Scope 3
Centamin has not yet included Scope 3 GHG emissions in its interim target for carbon abatement. The company plans to set its targets for a reduction in Scope 3 GHG emissions by the end of 2024.
Source: PRESS RELEASE
Image Source of Sukari Plant: Centamin