EPC Groupe expands activities in Senegal via major contract with Sabodala mine

EPC Groupe has announced that EPC Mineex Sénégal has been awarded a contract for the supply of explosives and associated services for Endeavour’s Sabodala mine, one of the largest gold mines in West Africa.

Under this contract, worth approximately €10 million per year at full run rate and with an initial term of five years, EPC Mineex Sénégal will provide an integrated service covering the entire blasting value chain across the Sabodala mining complex. As part of the agreement, EPC Mineex Sénégal will produce and deploy nearly 45,000 t of explosives over the duration of the contract to support the site’s extraction operations.

The services delivered by EPC Mineex Sénégal will include, in particular, the production and supply of explosives, the operation and maintenance of the on-site emulsion manufacturing plant, raw material inventory management, as well as the full execution of loading, initiation and blasting operations.

The contract also includes the provision of specialised equipment, infrastructure and dedicated teams required to conduct underground mining operations, marking a first for the Senegalese market.

The company says this new reference strengthens EPC Groupe’s position as a strategic partner to mining operations in Africa. Through this contract, EPC Mineex Sénégal will support Sabodala Gold Operations in its mining activities while maximising local content, notably through:

• The construction of an on-site Emulsion Manufacturing Plant (EMP – Emulsion Modular Plant)
• The supply of two MEMUs (Mobile Explosives Manufacturing Units)
• The deployment of five SPUR (Smart Process for Underground Repumping) units, automated charging solutions specifically designed for the most demanding underground mining environments
• Post-blast analysis and optimisation services delivered by EPC Mineex Sénégal’s engineers and technicians, leveraging the latest software solutions developed by the Group. These services aim to measure blast performance, improve operational efficiency and control environmental impacts.

It adds that this contract award demonstrates EPC Groupe’s ability to mobilise its full range of technical, industrial and operational expertise in support of mining development across Africa, and says that it is fully aligned with Senegal’s local content development objectives.

“This new contract is a recognition of the commitment and professionalism of our teams in Senegal. It highlights the relevance of our integrated model, which combines technical expertise, operational excellence, innovation and close customer relationships. We are particularly proud to support Sabodala Gold Operations over the long term while contributing to the development of local skills and the creation of sustainable value for surrounding communities,” said Rokhaya Sall, Managing Director of EPC Mineex Senegal.

The company concludes: “This new reference further strengthens EPC Groupe’s position in West Africa, a strategic region for the Group, and enhances the visibility of its activities for the coming years through a long-term partnership with one of the region’s leading gold producers.”