One of the biggest diamond mines in Canada is breaking records as it produces 4.2 kW of power. Diavik Diamond Mine is providing power while helping to reduce carbon emissions. Owned by mining giant, Rio Tinto, the diamond mine is a serious trendsetter.
World’s largest mine provides 4.2 million of power
Rio Tinto is a globally recognized diamond miner and in one of its projects in Canada, the company produces enough power to generate its operations. Under the Diavik Diamond Mine, the project comes at a time when mining industries are contributing to increasing carbon emissions across the world.
Diavik has started producing clean energy in Canada, the stride is praised for its efforts towards reducing carbon emissions and leading the industry towards a major transition to clean energy.
How does this diamond mine produce power
Owned by Rio Tinto, a mining company which operates in many countries around the globe, is using the solar plant to generate clean energy at the Diavik Diamond Mine.
The mining company recently completed the installation of its 3.5 megawatt capacity solar power plant in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The project is also the country’s largest off-grid solar power plant across Canada’s territories.
The mine also aims at reducing diesel consumption at Diavik by one million liters and the facility will reduce diesel consumption at Diavik by one million litres per year.
With 6,620 panels, the facility is claimed to generate 4.2 million kilowatt-hours of solar energy annually.
MSN.com says the plant will also reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2,900 tonnes of CO2 equivalent and this is compared to removing 630 cars from the road per year.
The move is in anticipation of Diavik’s end of the mine life, set to take place at the end of 2026, and the resultant closure, which will require approximately a further three years.
According to a press release, the solar power plant will generate up to 25% of the mine’s electricity during that closure work, generating energy from sunlight as well as from light reflected off snow.
Diamond Mine remains committed to green energy
On behalf of the company, chief operating officer Matthew Breen, explained that the largest off-grid solar power plant in Canada’s north is the company’s latest commitment to the environment people live in.
He added that this will improve the energy efficiency of their operations at Diavik. “We are proud to lead the way for large-scale renewable-energy projects in Canada’s North,” added Diavik.
Talking about funding, the mining company insists that the Northwest Territories government gave Rio Tinto CAD 3.3 million ($2.4 million) to fund the solar project.
It is mentioned that Whitehorse-based Solvest began the construction of the facility in February 2024.
Rooted in the mining industry, the British-Australian multinational company is making significant progress in decarbonisation initiatives across its operations worldwide.
Outlining its targets, Rio Tinto wants to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 and to achieve net zero across its operations by 2050.
When did the construction of the solar panel begin
The Moment understands that the construction of the mine and its solar facility started in 2000, almost 25 years ago. This multi-billion dollar project is also the country’s largest off-grid solar power plant across Canada’s territories.
The Diavik Diamond Mine is an unincorporated joint venture between Diavik Diamond Mines (2012) Inc. (a Rio Tinto company) and Dominion Diamond Diavik Limited Partnership, these conglomerates are both headquartered in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
The mine is located 186 miles northeast of Yellowknife and consists of three kimberlite pipes. Lying on a 20-km2 island under the waters of Lac de Gras, the commercial production of the mine’s rough diamonds commenced in January 2003.