Key Takeaways

• Pacific Energy has expanded the Tropicana gold mine’s power system to 115 MW, making it Australia’s largest off-grid hybrid system for a mining operation.
• The renewable energy project includes wind turbines, solar power, and a battery energy storage system, reducing diesel and gas consumption significantly.
• This advancement supports AngloGold Ashanti’s goal to cut net carbon emissions by 30% by 2030, contributing to a long-term roadmap for net zero by 2050.

Major Renewable Energy Project at Tropicana Mine

Pacific Energy announced the successful expansion of the renewable energy infrastructure at the Tropicana gold mine in Western Australia, officially commencing operations on February 7, 2025. The new hybrid power system, established under a 10-year build-own-operate agreement, enhances the mine’s existing 54 MW gas-fired power station by adding 61 MW of renewable capacity. This expansion positions Tropicana as the largest off-grid hybrid system for mining in Australia.

Owned primarily by AngloGold Ashanti Australia Ltd (70% ownership and management) and Regis Resources Ltd (30%), the Tropicana mine is situated 330 km northeast of Kalgoorlie. The new renewable energy facilities feature four 6 MW wind turbines, a 24 MW solar farm, and a 13 MW battery energy storage system (BESS).

The innovative integration of Pacific Energy’s advanced intelligent control solution and virtual synchronous machine technologies optimizes the 115 MW system’s operation. This modern approach replaces outdated thermal power systems, improving the stability and efficiency of energy production. Notably, the facility can operate on 100% renewable energy for extended periods, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

The implementation of this renewable energy expansion is expected to decrease diesel consumption for power generation by 96% and gas by 50%, leading to a projected reduction of carbon emissions by approximately 65,000 tons annually throughout the contract’s duration. This development aligns carefully with AngloGold Ashanti’s objectives of achieving a 30% reduction in global net carbon emissions from energy by 2030, as part of its strategy to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Pacific Energy’s CEO, Jamie Cullen, stated that the new system has already produced over 38,000 MWh of renewable energy, primarily while installations were still underway. The project is anticipated to replace more than 1,100 terajoules of gas each year with renewable energy, with plans to almost completely eliminate diesel usage, solely maintaining it for emergencies. Cullen highlighted the project’s success despite severe challenges, including severe flooding during construction, and praised the team for completing over 200,000 on-site labor hours without any injuries.

Overall, the collaboration between Pacific Energy and AngloGold Ashanti has culminated in a project that not only supports operational goals but also contributes to significant decarbonization efforts for the future.

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