From gold to green: Mining company, energy firm join forces on N.S. project
CBC
A mining company is looking into repurposing one of its shuttered gold mines in Nova Scotia to create a hydro energy storage system and solar farm.
Atlantic Mining wrapped operations at the Touquoy gold mine in Moose River last year, and announced this week it has a new idea for the site.
The subsidiary of Australia-based mining company St Barbara is teaming up with Halifax-based renewable energy firm Natural Forces for a feasibility study into what they've dubbed a "renewable energy hub."
Using the mine's open pits, it would feature what's known as a closed-loop pumped hydro energy storage system, which uses water in an elevated reservoir to act as a natural battery.
The system would include two connected water reservoirs, one higher than the other, filled by naturally accumulating rainfall.
When demand on the power grid is low, the system would take power from the grid to pump water to the upper reservoir. When energy demand is high, water from the upper reservoir would flow through a turbine back into the lower reservoir to generate electricity and feed the grid.
"It just seems like a really excellent way to repurpose an existing pit," Amy Pellerin, director of Canadian development at Natural Forces, said in an interview.
"They've already created the elevation difference and they've already created a reservoir."
Pellerin said the feasibility study will also explore building a solar energy project, which would connect to the provincial grid, on the mine's waste rock pile.
A spokesperson for St Barbara said the mine's tailings facility would be topped off and remain separate from the hydro system.
Andrew Strelein, managing director and CEO of Atlantic Mining, said in a news release that this approach is part of the company's commitment to sustainable development.
"Since closing Touquoy, we have been looking at potential alternative land uses as we move into mine reclamation phase," he said in the release.
Approval from the provincial government for the Touquoy gold mine included a requirement for Atlantic Mining to carry out reclamation after closing.
Pellerin said reclamation of the site will be considered in the feasibility study.
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