Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) is investing in a 200-megawatt (MW) solar
power plant designed to accelerate its decarbonization program in line with the Barrick Gold
Corporation’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Roadmap. NGM is majority owned and operated by Barrick
(NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX).
NGM today announced they are partnering with First Solar (Nasdaq:FSLR) to manufacture all modules
required to support the 200MW construction, entirely in the United States.
NGM has commenced detailed engineering and expects to begin construction in the third quarter of
- The modules supplied by First Solar are expected to be delivered in the beginning of the second
quarter of 2023 and will power both phases of the power plant.
Ensuring that the selected contract partner for this project fully supported NGM’s values was a top
priority for the company. NGM chose to contract with a supplier who is committed to fair labor practices,
investing in American manufacturing and American jobs, and is one which will deliver high performance
solar panels with the lowest carbon footprint and the best environmental profile available today.
Although this process has been time-consuming, it has allowed the company to optimize the project
schedule to commission both phase I and phase II by early 2024.
NGM has committed to a 20% carbon reduction by 2025. This will be achieved through the 200MW
solar array construction and the conversion of NGM’s coal fired power plant to cleaner burning natural
gas.
“The project is the latest in a series of carbon-reducing initiatives across the group’s global operations,”
says Barrick group sustainability executive Grant Beringer. “The solar power plant will complement the
transition of NGM’s coal power plant to a dual fuel process, which will enable it to generate electricity
from natural gas, reducing carbon emissions by as much as 50 percent.”
NGM has a strong focus on environmental management practices and is a committed custodian of the
unique lands, waters, flora, and fauna within the state of Nevada. Barrick is targeting an overall 30
percent reduction in emissions by 2030 against its 2018 baseline with the goal of achieving net-zero by
2050.
