The contractor is part of China National Machinery Industry Corporation, or SINOMACH, and the new US$23 million heavy fuel oil (HFO) power plant will replace the existing facility.

The plant will cut fuel consumption for electricity production by 15% and engine oil by 30%, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17,000t/y. This is in line with Nordgold's climate change objectives as well as its commitments to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Hyundai Heavy Industries is providing the power plant's main generating equipment.

The plant will allow a significant reduction in operating costs and provide a stable electricity supply for over 15 years for Lefa's life-of-mine. 

Nordgold expects the power plant to be completed by the end of 2021.

During construction, hundreds of additional jobs will be created and the main essential construction materials, including sand, cement, gravel amongst others, will be sourced locally from Guinean suppliers.

The company's chief executive Nikolai Zelenski said: "The new power plant is an important investment as it enables us to both decrease greenhouse gas emissions and provide sustainable power generation for our Lefa mine."