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Certarus, Lake Shore Gold enter compressed natural gas supply agreement

Certarus will start delivering to Bell Creek and Timmins West mines later this year
lake_shore_gold_Timmins
Lake Shore Gold Corp., a subsidiary of Pan American Silver, operates the Timmins West and Bell Creek mines and the Bell Creek mill near Timmins. (Supplied photo/Lake Shore Gold)

Certarus has entered into a long-term agreement with Lake Shore Gold to supply compressed natural gas (CNG) to the Bell Creek and Timmins West mines in Timmins.

The company made the announcement in an Oct. 7 news release.

Calgary-based Certarus expanded into Northern Ontario in 2018, building distribution hubs in Timmins and Red Rock, with the specific aim of serving the region’s mining industry.

Other Northern Ontario clients include Kirkland Lake Gold’s Taylor Mine near Matheson and Imerys’ Penhorwood Talc Mine near Gogama.

"Lake Shore is a leader in its industry and recognized the environmental and economic benefits of converting their heating operations from propane to natural gas,” said Stéphane Gallant, Certarus’ manager of business development in the region, in the release.

“Certarus is able to provide service to large fuel users across Northern Ontario through our fully operational facilities in Timmins and Red Rock.

“By partnering with Certarus, mining operators, asphalt companies, other industrial users and even remote communities can meaningfully reduce their carbon emissions and at the same time lower their costs.”

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Lake Shore Gold is a subsidiary of Pan American Silver. The Bell Creek and Timmins West mines feed the Bell Creek Mill, which processes 4,400 tonnes per day of ore.

“Certarus provided a turnkey solution from mine conversion to CNG delivery,” said Hillary Laughren, Lake Shore Gold’s procurement manager, in the release.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to reduce our carbon footprint and decrease our fuel management costs.” 

Certarus said it expects to commence CNG supply to the two mines later this year.