Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond mine made history three years ago when it implemented the first wind-diesel hybrid for a remote northern mine installing four 2.3 MW wind turbines in Canada’s North West Territories. Liezl van Wyk, Manager, Mine Technical Services & SCAP for Diavik Diamond Mines is the champion of this ground-breaking project and will present the operational results at the 3rd annual Energy and Mines Toronto Summit this October 22-23. This week, she offers a preview of those results and discusses operational energy challenges and takeaways from this innovative project. Click here to view Liezl’s interview.
Q: How is Diavik Diamond Mine’s wind hybrid performing?
Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond mine made history three years ago when it implemented the first wind diesel hybrid for a remote northern mine installing four 2.3 MW wind turbines in Canada’s North West Territories. Liezl van Wyk, Manager, Mine Technical Services & SCAP for Diavik Diamond Mines is the champion of this ground-breaking project and will present the operational results at the 3rd annual Energy and Mines Toronto Summit this October 22-23. Here she offers a preview of those results and discusses operational energy challenges and takeaways from this innovative project.
Q: What would you describe as your top three energy challenges for your operations today?
A: Despite lower oil/diesel prices that directly impact our bottom line spending, energy still remains a 20-25% component of our cash cost budgets which is significant. We are also a remote operation in the Northwest Territories with no power transmission infeeds, so all diesel has to be transported via an extended supply chain starting in Alberta, and over a seasonal ice road lasting only 6-8 weeks. Our third biggest challenge is to continuously improve our energy efficiency and reduce our energy intensity.
Q: Can you give us a preview of some of operational results from your wind hybrid now – how is it performing?
A: We are very pleased with the asset and its near-3 years of operation. It has achieved penetration ratios of over 56% on some days, and exceeded the plan and financial models in terms of GWh generated and actual power contribution of 11% against a plan of 9%. Plant availabilities have been consistently in the mid to high 90’s% post our first winter which had a steep learning curve.
Q: What are some of the key takeaways from this project?
A: The value and importance of rapid in-house project development, insourcing and in-house innovation versus outsourcing for faster and lower cost turn-around. How well mining operations are set up to design, build and operate these assets due to the transferability of equipment, resources and systems already in place.
Q: What are you looking forward to at the 3rd annual Energy and Mines Toronto Summit on October 22-23?
A: Getting the update on the latest developments in the mining energy field, what breakthrough work has been done and meeting with colleagues in a great setting.
To view the 2013 case study article of the Diavik Diamond wind diesel hybrid project fill in your details below.
To view a video of Liezl discussing the pros and cons of integrating renewables follow this link