Rio Tinto completes 3.5 MW solar plant

Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mine has inaugurated a 3.5 MW solar power plant in Canada’s Northwest Territories, the largest off-grid solar facility in the region. According to the company, with 6,620 panels, the plant will generate 4.2 million kWh annually, reducing diesel consumption by 1 million liters and cutting GHG emissions by 2,900 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This complements Diavik’s 2012 wind plant, which has produced over 195 million kWh. Supported by a CAD 3.3 million grant, construction began in February 2024, with 30% of the workforce from the Tłıchǫ community. Rio Tinto aims to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050 in collaboration with local partners.