Houston-based geothermal technology firm, Quaise Energy is exploring how geothermal heat could hybridize and decarbonize a remote, privately owned power coal-fired plant that supports mining operations at Nevada Gold Mines (NGM).
A partnership between Quaise and NGM will evaluate building a commercial pilot to retrofit Newmont’s TS Power Plant complex in Eureka County to accommodate deep geothermal heat. If built, the project will pioneer a hybrid solution that integrates on-site power generation with geothermal heat.
The TS Power Plant, located in the remote high desert of Eureka County, is a 15-year-old 242-MW coal-fired facility. A POWER Top Plant, the project was commissioned to address escalating power costs and ensure a reliable energy supply for Newmont’s energy-intensive gold—and copper-mining operations.
NGM’s sprawling operations include three major assets in the region: the Carlin, Cortez, and Turquoise Ridge gold mines and the Phoenix and Long Canyon open-pit mines. While TS Power is a fairly modern subcritical pulverized coal plant and features environmental controls, NGM has committed to a 30% carbon reduction by 2030.
Quaise’s partnership with NGM is also notable for the pairing to potentially decarbonize heavy industrial sectors like mining.