Innovative Heat Recovery for Underground Mine Ventilation at Westwood

Lead Proponent

IAMGOLD Corporation

Project Objectives

The objective of this project is to demonstrate two waste-heat recovery technologies, including a glycol run-around loop and dewatering heat recovery system, to reduce natural gas use for underground mine air heating while maintaining ventilation and heating safety standards.

Expected Results

This project aims to:

1. Provide a practical, replicable pathway for industry-wide adoption of the heat recovery system for underground operations.
2. Fill a critical gap by delivering the first known side-by-side demonstration of industrial heat recovery methods in a Canadian underground mine.
3. Derisk energy efficiency technologies for underground mining and reduce reliance on volatile fuel markets, enhancing the competitiveness of Canada’s mining sector.
4. Provide publicly accessible knowledge products to accelerate adoption of energy-efficient mining technologies.
5. Position Canada as a global leader in clean mining innovation by establishing new design and performance standards for underground ventilation heating in cold climates.
6. Support Canada’s 2050 net-zero emissions target.