The Diavik diamond mine and local partners, Det’on Cho Earth Energy and Ryfan Wind, have been actively researching the possibility of tapping into wind energy. Rio Tinto’s Diavik is now planning to construct and install four 2.3 megawatt wind turbines at the minesite which is located diamond mine is located 300 km.s from the nearest grid. According to Diavik it will be the first industrial windfarm in northern Canada and the first large-scale windfarm at an operating mine anywhere in the world.
The project cost is said to be $25M, with an expected $5M per year in fuel cost savings.
It costs a fortune to haul in diesel fuel during the winter via ice road. So wind energy makes sense economically and environmentally. Kudos to Diavik for going forward with this exciting project.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-to-lead/building-innovation-in-canada/supplemental-power-is-in-the-air-up-there/article2232750/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=National&utm_content=2232750
http://www.diavik.ca/ENG/media/1131_media_releases_1722.asp
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2011/11/03/north-diavik-wind-farm.html