Zaldívar To Operate Completely On Renewable Electricity

TORONTO - Barrick Gold Corporation reported that the Zaldívar copper mine in Chile will be the country’s first mine to operate with 100 percent renewable electricity. The mine, a joint venture between Antofagasta and Barrick, recently signed a contract with Colbun S.A. that calls for Colbun to supply Zaldívar electricity derived from hydro, solar, or wind sources for a ten-year period beginning in July 2020.
“Every responsible business today has an obligation to play a constructive role in tackling the challenges posed by climate change,” said Barrick President Kelvin Dushnisky. “Our climate change strategy includes a commitment to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. The agreement with Colbun at Zaldívar is a great example of how we are moving towards our goal.”
“As a result of the agreement, Zaldívar will be able to replace greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 350,000 tonnes per year, which equates to about 87,000 vehicles per year. Colbun, a Chilean utility company, will certify that the energy used at Zaldívar comes from renewable sources that do not generate emissions. This must also be verified by an external party. The agreement will also allow Zaldívar to reduce its future energy costs,” said Antofagasta CEO Iván Arriagada.
Ten percent of the energy that Barrick used at all of its operating sites worldwide in 2017 was from renewable sources—a number that is expected to grow over time.
Earlier this year, Barrick announced plans to convert the power plant that supplies energy to the Pueblo Viejo mine in the Dominican Republic from heavy fuel oil to natural gas. The change is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with Pueblo Viejo by approximately 260,000 CO2 equivalent tonnes per year.