Gold miner St Barbara subsidiary Atlantic Mining is studying a pumped hydro energy storage facility at the now-closed Touquoy gold mine in Nova Scotia, Canada.  

Independent power producer Natural Forces has confirmed the technical feasibility of the project and is currently engaged in cost assessments and testing.

According to ASX-listed St Barbara, a feasibility study is expected to wrap up by late November or early December – one month ahead of the original timeline.

The findings will be presented to potential investors eager to support the project.

The company says the overall cost of the project is expected to be less than similar installations, owing to the availability of construction materials at the mine site.

Natural Forces has also upgraded the planned capacity, increasing it from 60 MW for eight hours to 80 MW for seven hours. This enhancement positions the project to become Nova Scotia's largest energy storage facility and the only one located off Cape Breton Island.

A facility in this strategic location would provide the city of Halifax with crucial redundancy, particularly if issues arise at the transfer switch at Canso Causeway—the sole route for transferring stored energy to the Nova Scotia electricity grid.

In addition, St. Barbara has revealed that it is collaborating with Natural Forces to explore solar power opportunities at the Touquoy tailings management and waste rock storage area.

“The continued benefit to Nova Scotia through adding sustainable energy back-up to the grid post-mining will be a way to continue to support rural Nova Scotians and the Nova Scotia government on its path to a renewable-energy future,” commented St Barbara MD and CEO Andrew Stelein.

In addition, Atlantic Mining and Natural Forces are investigating the potential to similarly develop 15-Mile and Cochrane Hill as sustainable energy hubs post mining closure. This investigation would include review of the development, operational and closure plans for both sites to determine potential for application of the closed loop pumped hydro energy storage, as well as potential renewables generation in mine infrastructure areas post mining closure.