Since 2003 the Northwest Territories Diavik Diamond Mine has established a reputation through its glittering gemstones. Recent progress has created a new element to preserve its historic significance. Thanks to a finished stellar solar power plant, the site now functions as a flagship renewable energy operation. This transformation develops new industry standards through clean energy while also reshaping the mining industry.
The installation of this solar power facility establishes a transformative standard for mining operations
The Diavik Diamond Mine now operates the biggest solar power plant with a 3.5-megawatt capacity located off-grid through Canada’s territories. Operating from 6,620 solar panels, the plant will produce 4.2 million kilowatt-hours of power annually. Through this project, the establishment expects to decrease diesel usage at the mine to one million liters per year, substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The solar power plant at the mine will create electricity to power 25% of its operation during its closure period between 2026 and 2029. The facility adopted bi-facial panels that enable them to extract power from direct sunlight and reflect light off the snow to optimize performance in cold northern conditions.
The solar power plant delivers many important ecological advantages. The facility will lower its diesel usage for annual emissions reduction equal to 2,900 tons of CO2 equivalents. Each year, reducing emissions equals eliminating 630 vehicles from road usage. Rio Tinto’s greenhouse gas reduction targets reach new heights through this initiative, which helps the company to reach its 2030 goal of decreasing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 50% and toward achieving net-zero status by 2050.
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Matthew Breen, the Chief Operating Officer of the Diavik Diamond Mine, emphasized the project’s environmental significance. “The largest off-grid solar power plant in Canada’s North is our latest commitment to the environment we live and work within and will improve the energy efficiency of our operations at Diavik,” he began.
Numerous stakeholders attended the building of the solar power plant. The project received C$3.3 million in funding from the Government of the Northwest Territories Large Emitters GHG Reducing Investment Grant Program. This program will use only a small portion of the carbon tax, large contributions from Diavik), and other large-gas emitting entities towards funding projects for that decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
The construction began in February of 2024 and was constructed by Whitehorse-based Solvest Technology Inc. and the Indigenous-owned Tłıchǫ Investment Corporation. Approximately 30% of workers were hired from Tłıchǫ Investment Corporation, an effort to stress the project’s commitment to local and Indigenous involvement.
A shining example of the future: Diavik’s role in the global shift toward sustainability
The success of the Diavik solar power plant sets precedence for any other mine in Canada and beyond. Essentially, Ben Power, CEO of Solvest Inc., talked about how the project showcases the applicability of renewable energy for northern and off-grid mines. “We believe this project provides a blueprint to facilitate the integration of solar into mines across Canada and Northern regions,” He said.
The Diavik Diamond Mine is also exploring ways to extend the benefits of its renewable energy infrastructure to the broader community. Rio Tinto is working with the Government of the Northwest Territories and community partners to determine how the solar power plant can continue to benefit the region after the mine’s closure.
The transformation of Diavik Diamond Mine into a renewable energy leader is a big achievement. Establishing a solar power plant offsets the environmental cost of the mine and sets global benchmarks in this sector. Energy-intensive industries like this are proving, through projects like this, that they can cut their carbon footprint down significantly and, more drastically, they can corporately cauterize. This mine doesn’t sell diamonds only; it symbolizes what can be achieved when innovation and sustainability go hand in hand.
