The Côté gold mine in Sudbury, owned by precious metals miner Iamgold, is set to receive a boost toward reducing its environmental footprint, thanks to a C$1.48-million investment from the federal government’s Low Carbon Economy Fund. 

Announced on Thursday by Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault, along with local Members of Parliament Marc Serré and Viviane Lapointe, the investment aims to help the mine transition to greener, more sustainable operations.

The project will involve replacing diesel-powered equipment with electric alternatives at the mine. Among the upgrades, Iamgold will acquire electric-powered dewatering pumps and mobile lighting towers, which will replace their diesel counterparts. In addition, the mine’s on-site electrical infrastructure will be modernised to support the new electric equipment, including an aggregate crusher that was previously powered by a diesel generator.

These changes are designed to cut down on the mine’s reliance on diesel, reduce emissions, and increase electric grid resilience, particularly for the accommodations camp and the polishing pond pump house.

The environmental impact is expected to be significant, with Iamgold estimating a reduction of up to 7 500 t/y of CO₂-equivalent emissions by 2030. This reduction is equivalent to planting about 300 000 trees, demonstrating the mine's commitment to cleaner energy solutions.

“Reducing emissions and protecting our planet takes bold and innovative action. The Low Carbon Economy Fund is supporting cleaner energy solutions that can decarbonise key industries, like the mining sector,” Guilbeault said. “Iamgold's electrification project is another example of how we can advance sustainable practices in key sectors when we work together.”

For Iamgold, the investment is a critical step forward in its long-term sustainability goals. “Receiving funding through the Low Carbon Economy Challenge Fund has allowed Côté Gold to take a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency,” Bryan Wilson, VP and general manager of Côté, said. “This investment will allow us to reduce our reliance on diesel while modernising our pit pumping with infrastructure powered by low-carbon electricity.”