Conserving energy high on Timmins' list.

• Author: Larmour, Adelle
• Position: NEWS

Rising energy costs have created a trend that is saving hundreds of thousands of dollars for large corporations across Northern Ontario.

Whether it is a large mining company or the daily operations required to run a city, the aim is simple: increase energy efficiency and save money.

Tom Hacquard, energy management coordinator at Goldcorp's Porcupine Joint Venture (PJV) in South Porcupine, just east of Timmins, says the company spends approximately $11 million annually on energy, the second highest operating cost besides manpower. A goal to save 10 per cent was initiated since the program kicked off in August 2005.

By incorporating "Watt Watchers," an initiative from the previous owner of Placer Dome, Hacquard says the company has saved (as of early June 2006) approximately $183,000, excluding implementation costs. He adds they are implementing projects on a weekly basis that will meet the 10 per cent goal in savings.

Funding incentive for the first quarter came from the Mining Association of Canada and Natural Resources Canada. Applications have been submitted to fund the remaining three-quarters, which is currently under review.

"All of our initiatives so far have been driven by the employees," he says.

Employees submit suggestions, which are read by a 10-per-son energy management committee chaired by Hacquard. If the suggestion appears feasible, it is brought to the department involved.

"I have to sell it to the department where the implementation may occur," Hacquard says, adding that everything has been done in-house.

With the backing of senior management, suggestions taken to the next level have been implemented, maintaining open communication with the employee who offered the idea.

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Some accomplishments include reduced lighting in unused portions of the mines, controlled photocells, motion sensors in rooms, disconnecting unneeded equipment, and automation of auxiliary fans at Hoyle Pond, to name a few.

As more cost-saving projects continue to unfold, Hacquard says the most challenging aspect of the program is to maintain high levels of employee awareness. Incentives are offered via a monthly draw for two $100 gift certificates, and after a year, the person whose suggestion results in the best net savings is given a $5,000 gift certificate/trip voucher.

From Sept. 2005 to early June 2006, more than 250 suggestions were submitted, with approximately 40 implemented.

Just next door, another energy-saving program was...