Feasibility Assessment of Solar-Powered Ventilation Systems in Underground Mines in Borno State, North East Nigeria

Reliable ventilation in underground mines is a fundamental safety requirement, yet diesel-powered ventilation systems are costly and produce harmful emissions in confined mine workings. This study assesses the technical and economic feasibility of solar-powered ventilation systems for small underground mines in Borno State, North East Nigeria, a region with high solar irradiance. A representative small-scale underground mine in the Konduga district was selected as a case study. Solar resource assessment was conducted using NASA POWER irradiance data for the study location. Ventilation demand was estimated using the Mining Ventilation Society of South Africa simulation protocols scaled to the mine dimensions and workforce. System sizing, component selection, and cost estimation for a photovoltaic-battery hybrid ventilation system were performed and compared against the equivalent diesel system on a levelised cost basis over a ten-year project horizon. Results indicate that a 45-kilowatt-peak solar array with battery storage can meet daytime ventilation loads with diesel backup during night shifts, reducing annual fuel consumption by 72 percent. The levelised cost of ventilation under the solar hybrid scenario is 38 percent lower than full diesel operation over the ten-year period. The study recommends pilot implementation with monitoring and evaluation to confirm performance under field conditions. It also proposes a government incentive scheme to support solar adoption in remote mine sites. Keywords: solar ventilation, underground mining, Borno State, renewable energy, feasibility.