Building the World’s First 100% Battery Powered EV Mine at Borden

Photo Credit: Goldcorp Inc.

Building the World’s First 100% Battery Powered EV Mine at Borden

Goldcorp’s (now Newmont) Borden mine is the world’s first all-electric underground gold mine, replacing all diesel-fuelled mobile equipment with battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The Borden underground mine reached commercial production in 2019 with a production rate of 4,000t of ore per day.

We worked within a multidisciplinary team on a $600M underground gold mine project focusing on the sustainable operating principles of zero emissions, reduced noise, and innovative technologies. EELO Solutions led the life of mine analysis on energy reduction, criteria air emissions, and greenhouse gas abatement. We also supported the analysis of other clean energy technologies (such as hydrogen), sharing information with industry and government, and grant preparation. This project is the first in the world and has been recognized globally as a true innovation and a first adopter in mining.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Successfully secured $21M from the Canadian government, Ontario (provincial) government, and utilities entities to invest and de-risk in this project

  • BEVs at Borden improve safety performance and reduce GHG emissions by 70% (6,600t of CO2e)

  • Over a 10-year period, this represents a reduction of close to 70,000t of carbon dioxide abated and 330,000 megawatt hours in electricity

  • With the decrease in emissions comes a reduction in underground ventilation needs

Building the World’s First 100% Battery Powered EV Mine at Borden

Photo Credit: Goldcorp Inc.