DeGrussa Solar Project in WA’s Mid West generates environmental praise

Sandfire Resources NL has won this year’s Golden Gecko Award for Environmental Excellence for its DeGrussa Solar Project north of Meekatharra.

Judges notes say it generated 17 to 20 per cent of the DeGrussa Copper-Gold Mine’s total power requirement, with 34,080 solar photo-voltaic panels reducing Sandfire’s carbon emissions by 30,789 tonnes since 2016.

“The DeGrussa Solar Project has provided a blueprint for the adoption of renewable energy at other mine sites around the world,” the judges said.

“The project has been visited by mining companies, government representatives, universities and schools, and has been showcased around the world to educate the global mining industry about how to transition to renewable energy.”

The award was one of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s 2019 Resources Sector Awards for Excellence announced recently in Perth.