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Goldcorp to develop all-electric gold mine at Borden

Goldcorp is set to replace all its diesel mobile equipment at the Borden project in Canada with electric vehicles to derive health and safety, environmental and economic benefits.

Borden, 200 kilometres west of Goldcorp’s Porcupine mine, is in the feasibility phase and expected to start production before the end of 2019.

It will be Canada’s first all-electric underground mine, which has been backed by the Government of Canada with $5 million of funding.

The shift will reduce 70 per cent of carbon footprint compared with conventional technologies.

It will also reduce noise pollution, the risk of hydrocarbon spills and fires and reduce or eliminate exhaust fumes. These are projected to lower Borden’s capital and operating costs.

Goldcorp president and chief executive David Garofalo, speaking at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Melbourne, said, “Using diesel in an underground operation is a risk inherent in the mining industry.

“We manage and mitigate it as other mining companies do, but we know that by removing it, we remove a source of heat, fire and emissions from where our workers are and lower the risk profile of our operations.”

The mine will also incorporate other technologies to achieve safety performance and risk reduction.

“Borden is a ‘connected mine’ with real time knowledge of where people, equipment and work is being done at all times. This enhances safety and productivity,” Garofalo said.

Goldcorp has joined efforts with like-minded suppliers, the Canadian Government and others to commercialise clean technologies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and modernise regulatory systems.

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