After several years studying renewable energy resources, the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories has announced that construction has begun on a wind farm at the mine site.
Diavik currently relies on diesel fuel for all its energy needs, but the construction of four 2.3 megawatt turbines will provide a capacity of 9.2 megawatts of electricity.
The wind farm will reduce the mine’s diesel use by approximately four million liters, about ten per cent of total diesel consumption, eliminating around 100 truck loads of diesel on the winter road.
“The benefits of the initiative are numerous and will be realized for many years to come,” said acting president and chief operating officer Alasdair Martin. “Diversifying our energy portfolio reduces our greenhouse gas emissions and our reliance on diesel fuel.”
Under the current plan, construction and commissioning of Diavik’s wind farm, located on East Island at Lac de Gras, is expected to be completed next year. Once operational, it will be the first large-scale wind farm in Canada’s Northwest Territories and the first large-scale wind farm at an operating mine.
