Whitehorse Gold Corp (CVE:WHG) (OTCMKTS:WHGDF) has implemented a core environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) initiative as part of the company’s commitment to discover and develop resources in a sustainable manner at the Skukum gold project in Canada’s Yukon.
The ESG efforts will include the employment of neighboring Carcross/Tagish First Nations (C/TFN) people directly by Whitehorse and through affiliated service providers. Additionally, there are plans for the commencement of best practice environmental baseline programs
The precious metals company is working with MGRID Energy, a C/TFN member-owned company, to implement a solar power initiative at the Skukum gold project's 50-persons camp.
READ: Whitehorse Gold Corp 2020 drill program at Skukum provides high priority target for 2021
As part of the initiative, a microgrid energy supply system will be installed, which consists of an 80kW lithium-ion battery storage bank powered by a 75kW propane clean-burning generator and 150 405-watt solar panels (equaling about 60kW of power generation capacity).
The integration will allow Whitehorse to assess the efficacy of low carbon power for its exploration activities in the future.
"We are very proud to build alliances with local communities and indigenous peoples, specifically the C/TFN, as we prepare to commence our first full season of exploration at the Skukum gold project,” Kevin Weston, Whitehorse Gold's CEO said in a statement.
He continued: “The participation of and related benefits to the community are key to the company's success as we move the Project forward. We also believe that the use of solar power generation technology on our exploration program marks the first step in our carbon reduction plan and establishes the company's commitment to responsible mineral exploration and development."
There are also plans to form a technical committee to support and oversee aspects of the upcoming exploration program.
Whitehorse Gold’s flagship project, Skukum, is a past-producing asset that saw output of 233,400 tons of ore mined and processed to recover around 79,750 ounces of gold between 1986–1988.
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