Current pressures on the mining sector is driving increased interest in the cost savings and power security advantages that renewables could provide mining operations.

To this end, a record number of mining leaders would meet with renewable energy and finance experts to network and share knowledge at the third yearly Energy and Mines Toronto Summit, to be held on October 22 and 23.

With 50+ mining participants currently comfirmed, the summit was expected to see a record turnout of senior mining operators from major and junior mining operations who were looking to understand the cost, practicalities and finance solutions for integrating renewable energy into their power supply, organizer Energy and Mines said in a statement.

Many mining attendees were currently evaluating power options for new operations and were interested to know whether renewables could assist with diesel abatement.

“At Energy and Mines in Toronto this year, I am looking forward to hearing about new technological advances being made in the field of energy storage, so that renewables can provide a continuous flow of energy in the future, rather than an intermittent supply depending on when the sun shines or wind blows,” lamgold president and CEO Stephen Letwin said. He would be one of the speakers at the summit.

CEO of U3O8 Corp, Richard Spencer, who was also participating as a speaker in the conference, was currently exploring renewable power options for the mining company’s Laguna Salada site, a uranium-vanadium deposit in Patagonia, Argentina.

“The summit will be an interesting and productive opportunity to hear how other delegates approach and evaluate energy alternatives in their future projects,” he said.

The agenda for Energy and Mines Toronto Summit includes 25 senior mining executives sharing their energy strategies, including representatives from Anglo America, AngloGold Ashanti, Avalon Rare Metals, Barrick Gold, Glencore, Hudbay Minerals, lamgold, Kinross Gold, Kirkland Lake Gold, Lake Shore Gold, MGX Minerals, Rio Tinto, Roxgold, Rubicon Metals, Stornoway Diamand, Teck, TMAC Resources, U3O8 Corp, and Western Copper and Gold.

Along with the latest case studies of renewable energy projects for mining operators, the event would focus on critical topics for mines and renewables attendees, including financing solutions, and building energy partnerships with key stakeholders including First Nations communities reliant on diesel.

• [Editor:Juan]