Rio Tinto has installed a 3.5 megawatt solar power plant at the Diavik diamond mine in Canada. This initiative aims to reduce the mine’s environmental footprint as it approaches closure. The facility features 6,620 solar panels and is expected to slash diesel consumption by 1 million liters annually, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. According to Rio Tinto, this reduction is akin to taking 630 cars off the road each year.
Anticipating the closure of Diavik by the end of 2026 and its subsequent decommissioning over three years, the solar power plant will provide up to 25% of the mine’s electricity. It harnesses energy from both direct sunlight and reflected light off snow.
To support this green initiative, the Northwest Territories’ government has contributed CAD 3.3 million ($2.4 million) in funding. Rio Tinto has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% across all projects by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Matthew Breen, chief operating officer of the mine, emphasized, “The largest off-grid solar power plant in Canada’s north is our latest commitment to the environment we live and work in and will improve the energy efficiency of our operations at Diavik. We are proud to lead the way for large-scale renewable energy projects in Canada’s North.”
