The all-electric gold mine in Northern Ontario is greening the mining industry, with the help of homegrown expertise and the province’s end-to-end supply chain In 2016, when Newmont announced that it would build the world’s first all-electric underground gold mine near Borden Lake in Northern Ontario, the global mining industry took notice. “For a number of reasons going all-electric at an underground mine makes a lot of sense,” says John Mullally, Newmont’s Senior Director of Sustainability and External Relations. “When you’re operating hundreds, even thousands, of metres below the surface, electric equipment significantly improves working conditions by eliminating diesel particulate matter and other gases from the air—reducing energy costs, protecting employee health and minimizing impacts to the environment.” Newmont, convinced that all-electric is the way to cleaner, quieter, safer and more profitable mines—that are also inclusive of the communities around them—was determined to get a leg-up. With its ground-breaking technologies, Newmont’s Borden gold mine is invisible to nearby cottagers and First Nations communities. The Colorado-based mining giant knew there would be myriad challenges, from mine design to infrastructure and equipment. The Borden mine, which is small by Newmont’s standards, presented the perfect prototype, allowing for the development, testing and deployment of new technologies, many of which didn’t even exist at the time. Once they were commercialized, Newmont could scale them up for other sites around the world. Made in Ontario mining expertise It wasn’t just Borden’s size that attracted Newmont: Ontario offered the world’s largest gold mining company a number of critical advantages, starting with access to expertise in all aspects of underground mining. Whether it’s manufacturers, engineers, miners or energy producers, Ontario has all the components in the value chain. “Ontario has developed a cluster of mines and mining expertise that is leading the world in underground electrification,” says Mullally. Home-grown companies like MacLean Engineering, Miller Technology and Kovatera—as well as international players like Sandvik with operations in the province—are designing and building custom-made solutions for some of the biggest names in mining, including Glencore, Kirkland Lake Gold, Vale—and Newmont. And they’re as committed to the vision of a profitable, all-electric mine as Newmont is. Ontario also offers access to a deep pipeline of talent. Nineteen of Ontario’s 22 universities and 24 colleges have world-class mining, geology and engineering programs, and the industry is supported by a number of R&D institutes focused on underground mining. Says Mullally, “Although this area of Northern Ontario is new to mining and processing, we’ve had lots of interest from potential employees.” Government committed to the future of “green” mining Rounding out the province’s advantages is strong government support. “We worked closely with the Ontario government in collaboration with local First Nations communities to permit the mine, and we were able to bring it in on time and on budget.” Because Ontario is determined to be at the leading edge of the low carbon economy, Newmont was also able to access funding for the Borden mine from the TargetGHG Program. Operating through the Ontario Centre of Innovation, TargetGHG supports collaboration between industry emitters and innovation companies providing solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Newmont qualified because its electric mining equipment will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% over a comparable diesel mine. Mullally says that in addition to the government and its partner companies, MacLean Engineering and Sandvik, Newmont has benefited from close collaboration with all three neighbouring First Nations, as well as other mining companies in Northern Ontario with which it’s shared information. Production at the $250 million mine began in November 2019, and today, Mullally says that Borden is 85% of the way to its goal of complete electrification. The one exception is the 40-tonne production truck that carries the ore from underground to the surface, but the company is still committed to its all-electric vision. As for whether other global mining companies are following Newmont’s lead, Mullally maintains, there’s a very strong business case to go all-electric as we continue to dig deeper for “gold.” Looking to electrify your mining operations or procure underground battery electric vehicles? Please contact the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines.
spotlightsOntario Investment RoundupIn 2022, we saw billions in investments in the automotive, advanced manufacturing and life sciences industries. In 2023, we’re showing no signs of slowing down.... spotlights5 reasons Ontario is poised to lead the future of electric vehicle productionExperts predict the province will be a crucial jurisdiction in the global production and development of electric vehicles. Ontario is poised to build the innovative technologies... success storiesConstant Contact: amplifying digital marketing with AI and machine learningConstant Contact established a new R&D hub in Waterloo, accessing one of North America’s most innovative tech corridors and the region’s incredible tech talent.... Press ReleaseOntario welcomes $100 million manufacturing investmentThe Ontario government is welcoming a $100 million investment by Siltech Corporation, an Ontario manufacturer of specialty silicone.... success storiesOntario: where culinary tourism opportunities aboundOntario’s cultural diversity and wide range of agriculture have made it a world-renowned culinary hotspot, recently drawing the MICHELIN Guide to Toronto.... success storiesLake Superior North Shore Inside Passage: calling expedition cruise linesThe world’s largest freshwater lake is in Ontario, drawing expedition cruise lines from across the globe to wow tourists with its jaw-dropping sights.... success storiesSecuring the future: Waterloo’s Cybersecurity and Privacy InstituteWith cybercrime rising every year, corporations are turning to the University of Waterloo’s Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute to help safeguard their data.... spotlightsTop Ontario biotech companies to watch in 2023Ontario biotechnology enterprises are impacting health and wellness globally through the province’s world-class life sciences talent and innovation....