Spotlight on energy projects

EECA follows and shares the progress of clean and clever energy projects around New Zealand, particularly if we have contributed co-funding to the project. 

Safer, more efficient gold production

OceanaGold has installed a new electric furnace in its Macraes’ gold room, increasing safety and reducing carbon emissions.

The furnace features a cascade pouring system, allowing multiple gold bars to be poured at once, and a mechanical tipping system that eliminates the need for manual handling.

The new electric furnace runs entirely on renewable energy, cutting LPG use by 110,000 litres a year and reducing emissions by 177 tonnes. It also creates 90% less airflow, meaning fewer fumes.

"The new furnace has great improvement in safety for the gold room workers," says process manager Quenton Johnson.

With cascade moulds and a larger crucible, the furnace heats more gold at once, reaching 1,100°C — well above its 1,064.2°C melting point.

"So, for example, instead of having to do say four separate pours to get four bars, we now do one pour and four moulds will fill with gold," says Johnson.

The furnace is far more reliable and significantly reduces emissions.

This is the company's second big move to electric power, following last year's introduction of a new electric shovel — a New Zealand first. 

Both shifts to electric equipment were co-funded by EECA and support OceanaGold's goal of achieving net zero operational emissions by 2050.

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