Solar power for the STLLR Colomac gold camp

STLLR Gold Inc. and Tlicho Investment Corporation (TIC) announced on May 29 that the Canadian Economic Development Agency of the North (CanNor) is providing C$619,625 ($453,320) to install solar panels and battery storage to power a camp at the STLLR Colomac gold project in the North – western territories.

“The solar farm will meet the majority of our camp’s energy needs while significantly reducing operating costs and fuel emissions,” said Keyvan Salehi, president and CEO of STLLR Gold.

Given the long hours of sunlight available in the north during the summer months, solar power is an ideal solution for camps built to support mineral exploration and other activities associated with mining projects in the area.

Using solar energy to power Camp Colomac is expected to reduce diesel consumption by approximately 51,000 liters (13,500 gallons) per year. That equates to about C$87,000 ($64,000) in annual savings on diesel fuel alone, and does not include the cost of transporting the fuel to the remote camp about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories.

In addition to the costs associated with purchasing and delivering fuel, the switch to solar energy will eliminate approximately 138 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in Colomac annually.

As a bonus for camp staff, a solar-powered camp will be much quieter without the constant hum of diesel generators.

Sustainable partnership

The project implemented under the contract between STLLR and TIC will include the purchase and installation of a solar energy storage module (panels, inverters and batteries), as well as training in the operation and maintenance of the renewable energy system.

TIC has established a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship with Solvest Inc. for the installation of a solar system in Colomac. The Tlicho First Nation government’s business arm in the Northwest Territories also contributed approximately C$155,000 ($113,400) to the overall C$774,543 ($566,660) project.

“TIC firmly believes that a thriving economy needs strategic investments and collaborative partnerships to build a sustainable future,” said Paul Gruner, CEO of Tlicho Investment Corporation. “This project will advance our renewable energy capabilities and will also be an exemplary model of sustainability for the NWT and across Canada.”

Salehi says the solar panel installation agreement with TIC helps strengthen STLLR’s relationship with Tlicho country.

“The agreement also demonstrates our commitment to long-term sustainable practices and ecosystem protection in Colomac,” added the STLLR CEO.

STLLR, known as Nighthawk Gold prior to its merger with Moneta Gold in February, continues its exploration and pre-development activities at Colomac and the wider Indin Lake property, where this gold project is located.

A preliminary economic assessment prepared about a year ago outlines plans for a mine at Colomac that will produce an average of 290,000 ounces of gold per year over 11 years of operation.

STLLR is expected to conduct additional studies to help optimize the mine plan before the project advances to feasibility and permitting studies.

This advanced gold exploration project will be powered by cleaner and quieter solar energy being developed through a partnership with TIC and investment from CanNor.