Abstract:
The Ghana Manganese Company’s (GMC’s) carbonate plant faces significant energy
inefficiencies and environmental impact concerns, yet its energy consumption practices are
largely unmonitored and unregulated. Current energy management strategies at the plant lack
systematic approaches, making it difficult to identify and address inefficiencies, resulting in
potential environmental harm. This research aims to bridge this critical knowledge gap by
conducting a comprehensive energy audit to provide actionable recommendations for
improving energy efficiency and reducing the plant's carbon footprint. This was achieved by
setting clear specific objectives, defining the study's scope, and developing a detailed audit plan
for GMC's carbonate plant. On-site visits were conducted to collect real-time data, which was
then analysed using statistical tools to assess energy consumption patterns and identify
conservation opportunities. Based on the energy audit, an energy conservation measure was
recommended for the company. The energy audit recommended shutting down the plant
whenever loader vehicles stop operating to refill, as it was observed that the plant runs
inefficiently in their absence. The findings revealed that the highest energy consumption at
GMC's carbonate plant occurred in May 2023, reaching 693.770 MWH, with all months from
January to July 2023 exceeding 680.00 MWH. After implementing a proposed energy
conservation measure, energy usage from August 2023 to February 2024 significantly
decreased, consistently falling below 680.00 MWH, thereby reducing energy costs.
Additionally, an analysis for an alternative solar power supply indicated that an investment of
GH ₵ 6,387,769.44 would be required, offering long-term benefits in energy efficiency and
environmental sustainability despite the high initial cost.
