VRA asks Gold Fields to cut power by half

Accra, Sept. 4, GNA - Gold Fields Ghana (GFG) has been advised by the Volta River Authority (VRA) to reduce its power consumption by approximately 50 per cent due to low water level in the Volta Dam which is affecting hydro-electric power generation in Ghana.

A statement issued by Gold Fields Ghana in Accra said the mining company had the capacity to reduce its portion of electricity consumption from grid power through utilizing emergency diesel powered generators situated at the Damang and Tarkwa mines. Operating all of this generating capacity over a full month would add a total of approximately four million dollars to operating costs, it said.

Gold Fields Ghana operates the Tarkwa and Damang mines. It said it would continue its discussions, through the Ghanaian Chamber of Mines, with the VRA to help mitigate potential disruptions to power supply.

In addition, it said, the company was assisting the VRA in expediting the rewind and return of a generator rotor for the thermal powered Aboadze power station in Takoradi.

The VRA has said it will continue to monitor the situation and review it on a fortnightly basis.