To provide service for the growing electrical needs of the mining sector in the Melfort area, SaskPower is proposing to build a new 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line to supply the Shore Gold Diamond Mine project located within the Fort à la Corne Provincial Forest.
Project need
- Shore Gold Inc. has requested that SaskPower provide power to their proposed substation location via a 230 kV transmission line
- The transmission line will only be constructed if Shore Gold Inc. receives the environmental and other approvals for their proposed mine development
Route options and selection criteria
Four route options are currently under consideration: magenta; green; orange and blue. In developing these options, SaskPower works to
- minimize agricultural impacts
- minimize environmental impacts
- minimize social and other impacts (such as land use)
- minimize economic impacts (construction cost, maintenance, operation and impacts to landowners, communities and other stakeholders)
- construct on favourable topography and foundation conditions
Structure design
Two-pole H-frame and three-pole guyed deflection (single- or double-circuit) structures will be used in this project. The pole structures will be constructed with tubular steel.
Environmental approvals
The proposed transmission line will require a project proposal submission to the Ministry of Environment under The Environmental Assessment Act. Our goal is to reduce project impacts on the physical, biological and human environment of Saskatchewan. Consultations are currently underway with First Nations and Métis leaders, municipal officials, landowners and members of the public.
Project schedule
- August - September 2010: Alternative route selection
- September - November 2010: Public consultation
- October 2010: Preferred route selection
- December 2010: Project proposal to the Ministry of Environment
- 2011: Engineering design
- 2011-2012: Further environmental and archaeological field studies
- 2012*: Construction
- December 2012: Line energized
*dependant upon Shore Gold Inc. receiving approvals.
Landowners and members of the public are encouraged to provide their comments and suggestions on the proposed transmission line project. These issues are added to the input SaskPower receives through meetings with First Nations and Métis leaders, municipal officials, correspondence, phone calls, etc. They are then taken into consideration before making a final decision on the project.
For additional information or to provide comments on this project, please contact the SaskPower Environmental Programs Department at 1-800-667-4749.
