Cleaner energy technology and systems are being installed at a northeastern Ontario open-pit gold mine to reduce its reliance on diesel-powered electrical generation.
IAMGOLD received $1.48 million from the federal government’s Low Carbon Economy Fund to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its Côté Gold mine, about halfway between Sudbury and Timmins.
Federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault along Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré and Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe delivered the news, March 13.
The funding is dedicated toward the company’s purchase of electric-powered dewatering pumps and mobile lighting towers, replacing the diesel-powered equipment currently being used. The mine site’s electrical infrastructure is also being upgraded to support these components, which include powering an aggregate crusher that was running on diesel generation.
A news release from the federal department of Environment and Climate Change said this project funding will eliminate an estimated 7,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in 2030.
The Low Carbon Economy Fund supports projects, in sectors like the mining industry, that involve investment in proven, low-carbon technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Côté is one of Canada’s newest gold mine. It entered commercial production at the beginning of last August. Among the modern technologies being employed at the Gogama-area operation include driverless haul trucks and autonomous drill rigs.
