Pictured: Solar Panels at Schaft Creek Development Project, B.C.
Teck and the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC) have partnered to deploy a solar power project at Schaft Creek, a copper-gold-molybdenum-silver development project located in Tahltan Territory in northwestern British Columbia. The Schaft Creek Project is a Joint Venture with Copper Fox Metals where Teck is the Operator and 75% owner. The project is in a remote location and only accessible by aircraft.
The solar project was developed through a partnership between TNDC and Solvest, a solar company based in northern Canada. Through this innovative partnership, the Tahltan Nation gains exposure to solar and battery technology while allowing Teck to reduce reliance on diesel fuel and associated greenhouse gas emissions. TNDC has broad plans to invest in and own redeployable long life solar power assets and lease them to mining companies under short-term leases. The first for this model is in partnership with Schaft Creek under a 3-year agreement. The model will create economic benefits for TNDC while removing the capital investment and lowering the cost of fuel and carbon emissions for mining companies.
It is estimated that this solar array and battery installation will reduce carbon emissions for camp power by more than 70% resulting in significant cost savings over the next three years. In one month of full utilization in 2024 the diesel fuel consumption was reduced by 83%. Considering all fuel needs to be transported to site by helicopter or airplane, this has a significant cost and resource savings, as well as a reduction in environmental risk and impact.
"In partnership with Solvest, TNDC has taken a lead in establishing a more environmentally sustainable future for exploration and mining in Tahltan Territory. TNDC is committed to innovative solutions that drive positive change and generate further prosperity for the Tahltan Nation," said Todd den Engelsen, CEO, TNDC.
Teck is grateful to have a partnership with the TNDC harnessing renewable energy to enable critical mineral projects. "Through this partnership, Schaft Creek will work with a Tahltan company to implement this project while also building capacity with our community partners. Using battery storage with the solar panels means that we can obtain 24-hour power even in a remote location and learn more about the potential for this approach to reduce emissions at other sites, " said President and CEO Jonathan Price.
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