Quaise Energy and Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) have partnered to explore deep geothermal energy to decarbonise NGM's TS power plant.

The initiative aims to hybridise on-site power generation by utilising geothermal heat from NGM's land and subsurface holdings.

The collaboration marks a significant step towards reducing fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the mining sector.

NGM recently completed construction of a 200MW solar power plant and is in the process of upgrading the TS plant to incorporate cleaner-burning natural gas.

Nevada Gold Mines managing director Henri Gonin stated: “Nevada Gold Mines is targeting an overall 30% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. We continue to pursue initiatives that economically reduce our reliance on carbon-based electricity sources.

“Quaise offers a unique prospective solution to hybridise our on-site power generation with clean geothermal heat.”

The partnership with Quaise Energy is a strategic move to further explore deep geothermal energy sources, enhancing the plant's sustainability efforts. This aligns with NGM's 2030 greenhouse gas reduction roadmap targets.

The collaboration highlights the potential of deep geothermal energy to decarbonise heavy industrial sectors such as mining.

It represents the first commercial pilot for retrofitting a fossil fuel power plant to accommodate geothermal heat.  The retrofit of NGM’s TS power plant sets the stage for Quaise to move beyond drilling field trials and advance toward full-scale commercial deployment.

The ongoing partnership between Quaise Energy and NGM opens a new paradigm in clean energy for industrial applications worldwide.

Quaise Energy president and CEO Carlos Araque stated: “Deep geothermal can decarbonise critical industrial processes such as mining because of its superior power density. Our millimetre wave drilling technology is the key to unlocking high-grade geothermal heat, repositioning fossil-fired assets for a clean energy future.”

The partnership highlights two critical factors that make deep geothermal essential for achieving a significant share of the global energy mix by 2050.

The first is the location of geothermal wells. Deep geothermal wells can be drilled in a broader range of areas, including near current power plants.

The second is economics, as deep geothermal offers a cost-competitive alternative to fossil fuels while reducing carbon emissions, with the potential to generate up to ten times more power per well compared to traditional geothermal sources.