Rio Tinto Completes Solar Power Plant at Diavik Diamond Mine

Rio Tinto has completed a 3.5 megawatt (MW) solar power plant at its Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories, the largest off-grid solar facility in Canada’s territories. Featuring 6,620 panels, the plant generates 4.2 million kilowatt-hours annually, cutting diesel use by one million liters per year and cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2,900 tonnes of CO2 equivalent—comparable to removing 630 cars from the road.

The solar power plant will provide up to 25% of Diavik’s electricity during closure work, with commercial production at the mine expected to end in 2026 and closure to run until 2029.

"The largest off-grid solar power plant in Canada’s North is our latest commitment to the environment we live and work in, and will improve the energy efficiency of our operations at Diavik", stated Matthew Breen, COO of Diavik. "We are proud to lead the way for large-scale renewable energy projects in Canada’s North.”

Supported by US$ 2.4 million from the Government of the Northwest Territories Large Emitters GHG Reducing Investment Grant Program, Infrastructure Minister Caroline Wawzonek praised Rio Tinto’s leadership in emissions reduction and renewable energy. Diavik is also exploring the post-closure benefits of its renewable infrastructure.

Rio Tinto aims to cut global Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero operations by 2050.