Wärtsilä renews O&M agreement to support power reliability at Mauritanian gold mine

Technology group Wärtsilä has renewed its operation and maintenance agreement with Tasiast Mauritanie Limited S.A., a subsidiary of Canada’s Kinross Gold Corporation, extending its role at the Mauritanian gold mine for a further three years. The agreement, booked in the second quarter of 2025, will ensure the continued reliable and safe operation of the site’s 60 MW power plant, supporting the mine’s production schedules.

Wärtsilä has been responsible for operating and maintaining the power plant since it was built in 2013. The latest renewal builds on a long-standing relationship and follows a power plant extension completed in 2022, when an outcome-based element was introduced into the agreement. This element focuses on delivering measurable results aligned with the mine’s commercial and operational targets in a sustainable way, promoting a shared responsibility between Wärtsilä and the customer in achieving these objectives.

The mine is located approximately 300 kilometres north of Mauritania’s capital, Nouakchott, and is powered by an isolated hybrid grid. Electricity is generated through a combination of solar power and batteries, with the Wärtsilä power plant supplying baseload power and spinning reserve to secure consistent energy for the hybrid system. Reliable power supply is a critical factor for mining operations in remote locations, where grid connectivity is limited and operational continuity is essential.

Wärtsilä Energy operates globally at the forefront of the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future, supporting customers and the broader power sector in accelerating decarbonisation journeys through power system expertise and market-leading technologies. Its portfolio includes flexible engine power plants, energy storage and optimisation technology, and services covering the entire lifecycle of installations. The company’s engines are future-proof and capable of running on sustainable fuels.

“Our operation and maintenance agreements cover every aspect of the power plant’s day-to-day operation and all related maintenance and administration tasks. By tailoring the agreement to the customer’s specific requirements, we can deliver performance and lifecycle cost guarantees to add considerable value to the business,” said Patrick Borstner, Director of Operations Africa at Wärtsilä Energy.

Beyond operations and maintenance, Wärtsilä has played a central role in the development of the mine’s power infrastructure. The company supplied the original equipment for the power plant in 2013 and later extended the facility under an engineering, procurement and construction contract in 2021. A new project to install two additional Wärtsilä engines is underway, reinforcing the long-term focus on capacity, reliability and operational resilience.

Globally, Wärtsilä Energy’s track record comprises 79 GW of delivered power plant capacity and more than 130 energy storage systems across 180 countries, with over 30% of its operating installed base covered by service agreements.