
Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation (TIC), the business arm of the Tłı̨chǫ Government, are pleased to announce C$619,625 of funding from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) in support of their two-year project to install a renewable energy generation and storage unit at the Colomac Gold Project in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada. The project cost is C$774,543 including TIC’s investment.
This collaborative energy project between TIC, Solvest Inc., and STLLR Gold Inc. includes TIC purchasing and leasing the equipment to STLLR; Solvest will install the 88 kW ground mount solar array and a containerized 200 kWh energy storage unit including batteries, inverters, and controls, as well as training staff on operating and maintaining the unit. The energy storage unit will be constructed and tested by Solvest in Whitehorse prior to transportation to site on the winter road in 2025. With an estimated life span of 25 years for the solar panels and 15 years for the batteries, TIC estimates that STLLR Gold will save approximately 51,000 litres of diesel per year (equivalent to 138 tonnes of CO₂ emissions), an approximately 86% reduction in diesel consumption for STLLR Gold's camp site operation.
The Colomac Gold Project being developed in the NWT by STLLR Gold Inc. is one of their two cornerstone projects with the potential for a long life, large-scale operation surrounded by exploration lands with favourable upside. STLLR's experienced management team, with a track record of successfully advancing projects and operating mines, is working towards rapidly advancing these projects.
In keeping with TIC’s corporate belief in a sustainable future, CEO Paul Gruner stated “TIC firmly believes a thriving economy needs strategic investments and collaborative partnerships.” and that this project “will continue to contribute to our renewable energy capacity and will also serve as an exemplary model of sustainable development for the NWT and Canada as a whole.”
The Colomac Project offers additional benefits to their neighbours, with STLLR having publicly shared their aim to make positive contributions to the local communities where they operate, providing employment and business opportunities by establishing meaningful relationships based on trust, and seeking ongoing collaboration with neighbours of the Colomac project, including the Tłı̨chǫ Nation communities of Gamètì, Wekweètì, Behchokǫ̀, and Whatì.
President and CEO of STLLR Gold, Keyvan Salehi, spoke of further strengthening their partnership with the Tłı̨chǫ Nation, “Our agreement with TIC to build a solar farm at the Colomac Gold Project in the NWT…also demonstrates our commitment to long-term sustainable practices and safeguarding the ecosystem at Colomac” with the solar system being able “to supply most of our camp’s power requirements, while significantly reducing operating costs and fuel emissions.”
“Solvest looks forward to delivering another meaningful project in the North that supports sustainable development in mining and is driven by Indigenous ownership and self-sustainability.”, Ben Power, CEO & Co-founder of Solvest.
About Solvest Inc.
Solvest Inc. was founded in 2015 to help clients reduce their dependence on diesel power generation in remote regions by offering renewable energy solutions. Operating out of Whitehorse, YT, Solvest is the largest renewable energy company in northern Canada, supporting residential, commercial, mining, and First Nations clients to shift to more sustainable energies. Solvest’s services include solar and energy storage project development, design, procurement, construction, operations and maintenance and equipment leasing, including fostering collaborative partnerships with Indigenous partners and mining companies.
About Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation (TIC)
Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation (TIC) is the business arm of the Tłı̨chǫ Government formed in 2005, when the Band Councils of Behchokǫ̀, Gamètì, Wekweètì, and Whatì, as well as the Treaty 11 Council business interests were brought together under this single corporate umbrella. TIC’s purpose is to leverage the collective knowledge and strength of the Tłı̨chǫ Nation to offer a diverse range of quality services and be a leading Indigenous corporation with environmental and social governance guiding their business legacy as they pursue economic growth and partnerships.
About STLLR Gold Inc.
STLLR Gold Inc. (TSX: STLR | OTCQX: STLRF | FSE: O9D) is a Canadian gold development company actively advancing two cornerstone gold projects in Canada. The Tower Gold Project in the Timmins Mining Camp in Ontario and the Colomac Gold Project located north of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.