By Cheryl Jahn

Mining needs power

Jun 22, 2023 | 2:13 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A week ago, Premier David Eby announced the pursuit of greater sources of electricity following BC Hydro’s announcement by BC Hydro the B.C. Utilities Commission confirming that new sources of electricity will be required sooner than previously expected. To ensure that it’s ready to procure new power supply, BC Hydro is moving forward with the development of a competitive process to acquire more clean electricity.

“All of our shared desire that we reduce carbon pollution and create good, long-lasting families supporting jobs here in the province,” says Eby during a visit to Prince George last week. “The vast majority of those jobs, especially for communities like Prince George, are dependent on the availability of clean electricity.”

The mining industry was traditionally one of the biggest consumers of fossil fuels but there is a move afoot to have haul trucks in the mining sector go electric. But the Mining Association of BC says things have to take place before that happens.

“Existing mines that wish to electrify further in 5 to 6 years, we’re looking at new zero-emission or fully electric haul trucks. Those mines need to know when those haul trucks come on site that that new power will be there when they flip the switch,” says Michael Goehring, President and CEO of the Mining Association of British Columbia.

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He says, similarly, for a number of new mines proposed need some assurances that there will be clean electricity once investment is made the mines are constructed.

“So it’s imperative that in British Columbia that we all come together and ensure that there’s enough power to meet the needs of mining and other industrial industries. We also need some targeted infrastructure and electric investments in our grid in order to put mines up and to electrify existing mines.”

Goehring says he is cautiously optimistic about the Premier’s Clean Energy Plan but there are challenges and he suggests one way for overcoming them.

“What’s really important, again, similar to our industry, is B.C. Hydro faces challenges with permitting and authorization does happen. One of the great ideas that has come out and this is something that we are advocating for in our industry is more Indigenous participation in order to advance reconciliation.”

He says BC Hydro should look at giving First Nations shared equity in the transmission line to advance reconciliation and permitting.