Chile’s Zaldívar copper mine is 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 for electricity sourced from hydro, solar, or wind sources for a ten-year period beginning in July 2020.
As a result Zaldívar will be able to replace greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 350,000 tonnes per year-or about 87,000 vehicles per year-while also allowing the mine to reduce its future energy costs.
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.
“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.
More information: https://www.barrick.com/news/news-details/2018/zaldivar-goes-for-100-percent-renewable-electricity/default.aspx