Water Storage Tank Sizing for Gold-Mine Solar Pumps in Senegal: Buffer the Sun
Introduction
Solar makes water when the sun shines; the mine needs it all day. This article covers water storage tank sizing for gold-mine solar pumps, using Senegal’s Sabodala and Bambadji gold belt as the worked example, written by the solar-pumping specialists at KINBO. A correctly sized buffer tank and gravity feed decouple solar output from round-the-clock demand, so the pump runs only in daylight yet the operation never runs dry. This is the storage companion to our sizing methodology.
Table of Contents
Why Storage Matters
- Sun and demand rarely align—pumping peaks at noon, but processing and dust control draw water all day and night.
- Gravity feed smooths load—a raised tank lets the pump run at its efficient midday window while gravity serves the duty continuously.
- Buffer protects output—a day or two of autonomy covers clouds, cleaning and faults without stopping production.
- Smaller pump, same result—storage lets you size the pump to average sun, not peak demand, cutting cost.
Senegal Site Conditions
Senegal’s gold—around Sabodala and the newer Bambadji deposits in the south-east—operates in a Sahel climate with a strong dry season and only partial grid. Our dewatering guide, process-water guide and array-sizing guide frame the duties; here, a buffer tank is the cheapest way to turn intermittent sun into steady supply.
Tank Sizing, Step-by-Step
- Define daily volume—sum dewatering, process water and any community draw to get the litres per day the mine needs.
- Set autonomy days—one to three days of storage covers cloud and maintenance; more adds cost but more resilience.
- Place the tank high—raise it above the duty point so gravity delivers the required pressure without a booster.
- Match pump to fill window—size the solar pump to refill the tank within the useful sun hours, per our sizing.
- Choose tank material—UV-stable, potable-rated and easy to clean; include an overflow and a first-flush bypass.
- Protect and monitor—screen the inlet, and use our remote-monitoring to watch levels.
Good vs Poor Storage
| Aspect | Good storage | Poor storage |
|---|---|---|
| Autonomy | 1–3 days | None, stops at dusk |
| Placement | Raised, gravity | Ground, needs boost |
| Result | Steady supply | Gaps, lost days |
For the cost side of adding storage, our TCO guide shows how a smaller pump plus a tank often beats a bigger pump alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a battery if I have a tank?
Often not—a buffer tank stores energy as water, which is cheaper and longer-lived than a battery for shifting sun to demand.
How many days of storage should I plan?
One to three days balances cost and resilience; more suits remote sites with slow resupply, per our sizing.
Can the tank feed process water directly?
Yes—gravity from a raised, clean tank serves wash, leach and dust control without a continuous pump run.
How do I start a storage-backed solar pump project in Senegal?
Share your daily volume and duty point, and we size the pump and the tank together—our installation guide covers commissioning.
Related Articles
- Gold Mine Solar Pump Sizing Methodology
- Solar Array & Battery Sizing for Gold Mines
- Remote Monitoring for Gold-Mine Solar Pumps
- Explore KINBO Solar Pump Products
Get a Storage-Backed Solar Pump System for Your Senegal Gold Mine
Tell KINBO your Sabodala or Bambadji site’s daily volume and duty point, and we will size a solar pump plus buffer tank to keep water flowing day and night. Contact our team for a tailored quote.
Published by KINBO · September 30, 2026 · Category: Application Cases
