Challenges: operations, safety, and sustainability
B2Gold is dedicated to sustainability through effective waste management at its mining sites. The Fekola Mine’s remote location presents unique challenges related to operations, sustainability, and safety.
The mine is situated approximately 61 km (38 mi) southwest of Kenieba, the nearest large town. Most miners live onsite in close campsites, with B2Gold operating nearly 1,500 rooms across five camps. These camps house the workforce, primarily local workers, with a small international presence, and room utilization reaches up to 95% during peak demand.
Operating in remote regions, B2Gold faces the challenge of managing large volumes of waste generated by their campsites. The primary waste types include general waste, pallets, wood material, food waste, paper, cardboard, plastics, drums, sewage sludge, and scrap metal. Traditional disposal methods, such as landfilling and incineration, proved to be costly and labor-intensive. Additionally, the finite space in landfills necessitated a more sustainable solution.
To ensure the well-being of their employees and the environment, B2Gold has implemented comprehensive Waste Management Plans (WMP) as part of their Sustainability Strategic Plan. They set goals to reduce Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 30% by 2030.
Onsite mining food waste solution: LFC-500 biodigester
B2Gold sought an innovative approach that would address the issues of operational efficiency, sustainability, and safety for the proper disposal of food waste. They discovered the LFC-500 biodigester, a technology already used in numerous remote locations.
B2Gold purchased and installed the LFC-500 biodigester, which has been in continuous operation since. The LFC-500 operates through aerobic digestion, where microorganisms break down organic waste in the presence of oxygen. This process converts food waste into grey water, which can be safely discharged into the sewer system. The aerobic digestion process ensures thorough waste breakdown, resulting in minimal environmental impact by significantly reducing waste volume and producing water that meets environmental discharge standards.
Benefits
- Cost reduction: lowers the costs associated with hauling and incinerating waste
- Labor efficiency: minimizes the labor required for waste management
- Environmental sustainability: preserves limited landfill space and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from incineration
- Safety: enhances facility protection by reducing the frequency and need for waste transport, minimizing potential risks and disruptions
The LFC-500 biodigester at the Fekola Mine has helped B2Gold demonstrate their commitment to sustainable waste management. The LFC biodigester has played a crucial role in their efforts to address Scope 3 emissions by providing valuable data through the LFC Cloud. This data enables B2Gold to monitor and manage indirect emissions, furthering their comprehensive sustainability strategy. By implementing this innovative technology, they have achieved significant cost savings, labor efficiencies, and environmental benefits. The biodigester’s automated process reduces the need for manual labor and minimizes the environmental impact of waste disposal, contributing to their goal of reducing GHG emissions by 30% by 2030.
Additionally, the success of the LFC-500 biodigester highlights the potential for similar technologies to be adopted across the mining industry. B2Gold’s proactive approach serves as a model for other companies looking to enhance their sustainability practices and operational efficiency. Through these efforts, B2Gold not only improves its environmental footprint but also sets a benchmark for responsible mining practices globally.