The Newmont gold mine north-west of Alice Springs plans to build a spur from the Palm Valley to Darwin pipeline to switch its electricity generating fuel from diesel to gas, according to Mining Monthly.
The online magazine says Newmont’s Tanami operations have two diesel-fired power stations – one at the Granites open pit mine and processing plant and the other at the Dead Bullock Soak (DBS) underground operation, about 44km away. Those stations generate a combined 28 to 34 MW.
The magazine says a pipeline would also make the mines less vulnerable to being cut off by heavy rain, as was the case earlier this year.
Meanwhile Chief Minister Michael Gunner recently opened a $154m expansion to the mine enabling it produce up to an additional 80,000oz of gold per year.
