The remote operations of the Aurora Gold Mine are rapidly transforming as AGM Inc. deepens its commitment to renewable energy. The company’s solar power initiative, once modest, is now scaling up significantly, driving down fossil fuel use and reshaping how mining can marry heavy industry with environmental stewardship.
According to AGM’s latest internal reporting and site management, the mine is pursuing an ambitious roadmap under its “Dual Carbon Strategy,” with solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity expanding in phases, transforming what was once a diesel powered facility into a cleaner, greener mining campus.
Before the shift, the mine relied entirely on diesel generators to power everything from processing plants to camp accommodation and administrative offices. But as production ramped up, aiming for a processing capacity of 10,000 tonnes per day, energy demands surged, making the old model increasingly costly and environmentally unsustainable.
Orid Thomas, HSE Deputy Manager at AGM, explained in a recent interview: “We have a solar farm … and we are working towards establishing several solar farms on our site by next year. This will significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels… I’m happy to introduce the solar farm because it is a key part of protecting the environment — providing green, clean energy.”
He noted that as AGM expanded output and increased its workforce on site, the energy needs ballooned. “Before, we used diesel generators. As expansion happened — with new ball mills and increased throughput — we had to raise generating capacity. The solar farm helps cut operation costs tied to energy. Now we are using fewer diesel generators.”
Measurable Gains — and A Vision for 2027
To date, AGM has completed two major phases of its solar rollout:
• A 3 MWp solar farm commissioned in 2023 is estimated to generate about 1.74 million kWh per year, cutting roughly 2,757 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
• A subsequent 15.27 MWp installation in 2024 expanded solar supply to heavy industrial operations, offsetting about 6,035 tons of diesel fuel — equivalent to avoiding about 16,252 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year, while yielding fuel cost savings of approximately US$1.68 million annually.
Under current plans, AGM aims to reach 45 MWp by 2026, and ultimately 90 MWp by 2027 — a build out that would see annual generation climb to an estimated 123 million kWh. At full capacity, AGM projects emissions reductions exceeding 100,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, effectively cutting more than 85 per cent of the mine’s carbon footprint relative to its diesel only baseline.
Beyond carbon savings, the shift brings operational benefits: fewer fuel shipments through fragile rainforest corridors, reduced generator maintenance, lower logistical risks and greater energy cost stability — a persuasive business case for clean energy in heavy industry.
Why Solar Makes Sense — Even For a Remote Jungle Mine
Analysts and industry studies highlight several advantages of solar plus storage for mining operations, especially in remote locales:
• Solar energy drastically lowers fuel and transport costs compared with diesel generators. (Farmonaut)
• Hybrid solar battery diesel microgrids provide reliable baseload power and improve resilience against supply disruptions or logistics delays. (NenPower)
• Reduced reliance on diesel cuts greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants, fuel spill risk and logistics burden on sensitive ecosystems. (Farmonaut)
By deploying solar on previously disturbed land within the mining concession — and integrating battery energy storage — AGM is able to avoid new land use disturbance, while enhancing energy security and delivering long term savings.
For GFP (Greenfield Project) managers and workers at Aurora, the solar rollout is more than just numbers and charts. As Orid Thomas put it: the solar farms are not only “a big part of protecting the environment,” but also a pragmatic response to the mine’s growing energy demands — a transition that supports both productivity and sustainable practice. Their commitment reflects a broader cultural shift within the mining company, from fossil fueled operations to environmentally conscious industrial management.
A Template for Sustainable Mining – At Home and Abroad
AGM’s solar initiative is significant not only for the mine itself, but also for the national context. As Guyana seeks to expand renewable energy use across the country, large scale private sector adoption — especially in energy intensive industries such as mining — represents an important contribution to national goals for energy security, reduced import dependency, and climate resilient growth.
AGM’s experience shows that even a remote jungle mine — historically dependent on diesel convoys and off grid generators — can successfully transform into a renewable powered operation with lower costs, reduced emissions, and minimal compromise on output.
As AGM marches toward its 2027 target, the Aurora Gold Mine may well become a flagship case study for sustainable mining in Guyana and the Caribbean — proving that extraction and environmental stewardship need not be incompatible.
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