Sparkling Diamonds – Reducing High Energy in the Frozen North

Abstract

De Beers, the undisputed world leader in diamond mining, in a typically proactive approach, completed an energy review at the Snap Lake Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories. What makes the approach unique is that the mine is still under construction.

The focus on a construction site tends to be on keeping the project on schedule, and not on energy matters although the two can, and need to, complement each other.

There were two motivating factors in completing an energy review during the construction phase: cost and environmental responsibilities. De Beers Canada is working to identify a long term strategy to manage their business in a sustainable manner while mitigating the energy costs of their on-site power usage.

The paper will highlight the: • Approach De Beers took; • Challenges of conducting an energy assessment at a construction site; • Energy issues exposed by a sub-arctic climate • Results achieved; • Next steps to achieve a sustainable energy management program.

The paper will also discuss how De Beers Canada is incorporating the learning and the systems development benefits from the energy review. The organization is building these aspects into their overall Carbon Emissions and Energy Management System that will be implemented at their three new sites across Canada.