Solaris Resources Inc and its subsidiary Lowell Mineral Exploration Ecuador S.A. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Electric Corporation of Ecuador (CELEC) for the supply of low-cost, locally sourced hydroelectric power to Solaris’ Warintza copper project in southeastern Ecuador.
The hydroelectric power provided by CELEC from the National Transmission System in Ecuador is expected to become the primary power source for the Warintza Project.
Solaris said it intends to maximize the potential for efficiencies derived from this abundant, renewable, low-cost energy source by studying the potential for electrification of infrastructure, mobile mining equipment, including drills, trucks and shovels, materials movement and conveyance, including gravity-assisted solutions, and processing and pumping systems.
“The MOU with CELEC supports our vision to study the potential for electrified operations that maximize the structural benefits of the Warintza Project within an infrastructure-rich mining district with the aim of lowering costs, increasing efficiencies, reducing emissions, and broadly positioning the Project as a leading development opportunity across a range of financial and ESG metrics in the industry,” commented Daniel Earle, President & CEO of Solaris.