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Company Overview

St Barbara is a publicly traded Australian mining company with more than 50 years of operating experience and assets across multiple international jurisdictions. In Nova Scotia, the company owns the former Touquoy Gold Mine and is advancing additional development opportunities through its Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia operations.

Having successfully operated the Touquoy mine from 2018 to 2023, St Barbara is now exploring a next-generation renewable energy opportunity that repurposes existing mining infrastructure into a long-life clean energy platform. The project aligns environmental reclamation with renewable power generation, creating a unique investment opportunity in Nova Scotia's growing clean energy sector.

Project Overview

The Touquoy Mine Renewable Energy Hub will transform the former open-pit gold mine into a renewable energy and energy storage facility capable of supporting Nova Scotia's future electricity needs. As mining activities wind down and the site moves toward reclamation, the company is evaluating the development of a closed-loop pumped hydro energy storage system utilizing the existing mine pit as the lower reservoir.

The proposed system is expected to generate up to 80 MW of dispatchable electricity for six hours, providing reliable energy storage capacity that can support grid stability and renewable energy integration. The project would be complemented by an estimated 54 MW solar generation facility located on-site, creating an integrated renewable power solution.

Located approximately 40 minutes from Halifax, the site offers established infrastructure, available land, and potential applications beyond the provincial grid, including the ability to support power-intensive operations such as data centres and other industrial developments.

Investment Highlights

Innovative Energy Storage Opportunity

  • Repurposes a former gold mine into renewable energy infrastructure
  • Closed-loop pumped hydro energy storage system
  • Utilizes existing mine pit infrastructure
  • Long-term clean energy asset with minimal land-use impact

Renewable Generation Platform

  • Up to 80 MW of dispatchable energy storage capacity
  • Six hours of power delivery capability
  • Approximately 54 MW of solar generation potential
  • Supports grid reliability and renewable energy integration

Long-Life Infrastructure Asset

  • Conceptual study completed in 2025
  • Anticipated project life of 40 to 100 years
  • Estimated capital investment of US$450 million
  • Multiple development pathways, including utility-scale energy and private power applications

Strategic Location

  • Located near Halifax and major infrastructure corridors
  • Existing industrial site and mining infrastructure
  • Potential to support future industrial and data centre developments
  • Opportunity to contribute to Nova Scotia's clean energy transition

Investor Snapshot

Sector: Renewable Energy | Energy Storage | Solar Power

Asset Type: Closed-loop pumped hydro storage and solar generation facility

Current Stage: Early Development / Feasibility

Generation Capacity: 80 MW pumped hydro energy storage and 54 MW solar potential

Capital Cost: Approximately US$450 million

Project Life: 40 to 100 years

Investment Opportunity: Equity investment, debt financing, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and project finance.

Contact

Dustin O'Leary
Manager, Corporate Communications