Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) affiliate Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) and Electricité de Guinée (EDG) signed an agreement to guarantee a steady supply of 10 megawatts to its operations at the port of Kamsar.
The contemplated connection will result in 26 million kilowatt hours per year, which EGA says will be a significant step towards sustainable development. GAC currently derives its power from diesel generators, but it is in the midst of planning transitioning to hydroelectric power.
Ultimately, GAC hopes to cut its carbon emissions by one-fifth by moving away from fossil fuels and towards sustainable energy sources.
GAC CEO Steeve Tremblay said in a press release that the agreement had major advantages to a wide array of stakeholders.
“Our agreement with EDG demonstrates our commitment to sustainable business practices. Switching to hydroelectric power will not only reduce our environmental footprint, but also support Guinea’s economic growth and infrastructure development, thereby strengthening our contribution to the nation.”
GAC says the agreement is proof positive of the firm’s commitment to pursuing and achieving Guinea’s goal of sustainable industrial and economic development. The firm said the partnership between the two companies will be of great importance in moving Guinea’s economic expansion forward.
GAC mines a 266 square mile mining concession in northwest Guinea. The concession includes an estimated 400 million metric tons of bauxite ore. The bauxite ore mined there goes by rail to Kamsar for shipment overseas. The bauxite ore mined at GAC’s concession contains a much higher alumina-to-silica ratio than average as well as a lower concentration of boehmite. GAC says the unique properties of GAC’s bauxite make it versatile enough to be processed by a wide range of alumina refineries across many temperatures.
