Snowline Gold Corp. (CSE:SGD) said it has entered into a five-year lease agreement with the Nacho Nyak Dun Development Corporation (NNDDC) for the installation and use of a 27-kilowatt solar generator system.
The company said the solar generator, designed and built by Yukon-based Solvest Inc, will dramatically reduce diesel consumption at Snowline's 45-person 'Forks' camp on its Rogue Project in the eastern Yukon, located within the traditional territory of the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun (FNNND).
The new solar generator could save up to 12,572 litres of diesel per season, reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the camp generator by 90%, reducing fuel costs and the total number of flights required to support the project, resulting in financial and environmental benefits.
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“This project is a tangible example of how Snowline is realizing our corporate vision" said Steve Rennalls, operations manager for Snowline in a statement. “It increases efficiency while creating financial and environmental value. It improves our employees' work environment, it is yet another collaborative project with the Nacho Nyak Dun Development Corporation, and it is provided by Solvest, one of the Yukon's most innovative companies.”
Additional benefits include the associated reduction in diesel generator operating time, which lessens camp noise to create better living standards for crew, while also lowering the potential for disturbance of local wildlife.
Installation of the solar generator system is complete, and the system is now fully operational, providing a majority of the camp’s power.
Scott Berdahl, CEO and director of Snowline commented: “We are grateful to the Nacho Nyak Dun Development Corporation and to Solvest for presenting Snowline with this opportunity to innovate. The initiative puts Snowline into another ‘first mover' category as we look for ways to eliminate the negative and enhance the positive impacts of our exploration activities. We trust the data collected will be instrumental in allowing additional resource companies to effectively assess potential renewable energy solutions.”
“Investments such as this are examples of how indigenous businesses are leading the way in accelerating the green economy, and innovations such as this provide opportunities for such entities to become increasingly engaged in the mineral resource sector,” said Jani Djokic, CEO of NNDDC. “We see this investment as just the first of many of its kind and we are working towards building a fleet that can be deployed throughout the Traditional Territory.”
Cooperation with NNDDC-owned and affiliated companies has been instrumental to Snowline’s discovery successes. These companies have provided substantial support to the company’s 2021 and 2022 field programs, providing general exploration services, vegetative reclamation, drilling, fixed and rotary wing air support, and other services.
NNDDC is the primary active business arm of the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun, developing and managing business interests that provide a return to the Nation, both within and outside the Traditional Territory. This project is just one example of the types of partnerships that NNDDC has created over the years.
Snowline Gold is a Yukon Territory-focused gold exploration company with a seven-project portfolio covering over 127,000 hectares (ha).
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com