Mali: commissioning of the extension to the solar power plant at the Fekola gold mine

Canadian mining company B2Gold has announced the completion of the extension to its solar power plant supplying the Fekola gold mine in Mali. Launched in 2023, this additional 22 MW phase, coupled with 12.7 MWh of battery storage, has been operational since January 2025. With total capacity increased to 52 MW and 27.7 MWh of storage capacity, this infrastructure illustrates the mining sector's commitment to the energy transition.

The extension, completed in the fourth quarter of 2024, mobilised 46,200 new solar panels, bringing the total number on site to 142,912. The plant now covers around 30% of the electricity needs of Fekola, Mali's second-largest gold mine. According to B2Gold, this improvement will avoid the annual emission of 63,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, supporting its objective of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions (scopes 1 and 2) by 30% by 2030, compared with 2021.

This initiative is part of a wider trend for mining companies to adopt renewable energies, in response to the imperatives of the Paris Agreements. Faced with global pressure to limit global warming, players like B2Gold are focusing on clean solutions to reconcile production and sustainability.

In addition to its environmental impact, the expansion of the power station will boost Fekola's operational capacity. With production expected to reach between 515,000 and 550,000 ounces of gold in 2025, compared with 392,946 ounces in 2024, the mine will benefit from a more stable and cost-effective energy supply. This ramp-up illustrates how green investment can support industrial objectives, against a backdrop of sustained global demand for gold.

With an initial capacity of 30 MW in 2023, the Fekola solar power plant is now positioned as an example of the successful integration of renewable energies into mining operations. By combining solar panels and batteries, B2Gold is meeting the challenges of intermittency while reducing its dependence on fossil fuels, which are often costly and polluting in isolated regions such as south-west Mali.

For B2Gold, this extension is not just a technical feat: it embodies a strategic vision where ecology and profitability converge. By strengthening Fekola, the Canadian company is setting a milestone in the green transformation of the African mining sector, proving that the fight against climate change can go hand in hand with economic performance.