The government of Canada has confirmed it is earmarking $1.48 million for the electrification of mining operations and reduction of emissions at IAMGOLD’s Côté gold operation in Ontario.
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change; Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; and Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, gathered to announce the investment from the Low Carbon Economy Fund to help the miner at its Sudbury site.
As part of the project, the IAMGOLD Côté Gold mine will acquire electric-powered dewatering pumps and mobile lighting towers, replacing the diesel-powered equipment currently in use at the mine. IAMGOLD will also upgrade the mine’s on-site electrical infrastructure to support these new components, as well as an aggregate crusher that was previously powered by a diesel generator. This project will provide clean energy to the mine’s operations and additional electric grid resilience for the accommodations camp and polishing pond pump house, significantly reducing the reliance on diesel.
By switching from diesel-driven equipment to cleaner electricity, the project is set to eliminate an estimated 7,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions in 2030, thereby promoting cleaner solutions in the mining industry in Ontario.
Projects supported by the Low Carbon Economy Fund are helping sectors like the mining industry work toward innovative solutions that will allow them to reduce emissions and create jobs while building a strong, sustainable future for generations to come.
“Receiving funding through the Low Carbon Economy Challenge Fund has allowed Côté Gold to take a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency. This investment will allow us to reduce our reliance on diesel while modernizing our pit pumping with infrastructure powered by low-carbon electricity. These upgrades align with our long-term vision of improving energy efficiency, reducing our carbon footprint, and enhancing the overall reliability of our operations,” said Bryan Wilson, Vice President and General Manager for the Côté Gold mine.
The Low Carbon Economy Challenge Fund is supporting projects across the country that invest in proven, low-carbon technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is an important part of Canada’s clean growth and climate action plans, including the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan – Canada’s Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy.
Côté Gold is serviced by autonomous haul trucks and drills with an estimated 18-year mine life. It began commercial production in 2024.
Source: Canada.ca