First Nation-leased solar powers Yukon mining project, reducing emissions and supporting local economic growth.

In an effort to reduce emissions and enhance sustainability, Fireweed Metals Corp., Dena Nezziddi Development Corporation (DNDC), and Solvest Inc. have partnered to install a renewable power system at Macpass Camp, a move that advances clean energy integration at the Macmillan Pass (Macpass) zinc-lead-silver exploration project in Yukon, Canada.

Based in Ross River, Yukon, DNDC is the economic development arm of the Ross River Dena Council that supports initiatives that benefit the Kaska Nation, whose traditional territory encompassers parts of Yukon, Northwest Territories, and northern British Columbia. DNDC, alongside its energy subsidiary Tu-Lidlini Petroleum LP (TLP), has made strides in the renewables sector, aiming to diversify energy offerings.

With experience in renewable energy projects across northern and remote areas, Solvest has rapidly established itself as a leader in delivering impactful solar installations that reduce reliance on diesel and promote energy independence.

Through strategic collaborations such as those with Tahltan Nation Development Corporation for Teck Resources' jointly owned Schaft Creek copper-gold-molybdenum-silver project, which estimated an 80% reduction in carbon emissions for the camp; and Rio Tinto's Diavik Diamond Mine, which saw construction of the largest solar power plant in Canada's remote north in less than a year, Solvest has successfully implemented systems that not only minimize emissions but also deliver a sustainable, renewable energy source for industrial operations in challenging northern environments.

Fireweed is not the first junior mining company to enlist the expertise of Solvest, as STLLR Gold Inc. previously partnered with the renewable energy provider to install solar panels and battery storage at its Colomac gold project in Northwest Territories. This initiative aimed to significantly reduce the camp's diesel consumption by over 50,000 liters annually, resulting in substantial cost savings and a quieter, more environmentally friendly energy solution for their exploration operations.

Building on these successful partnerships, Solvest, DNDC, and Fireweed Metals have now brought renewable energy to the Macpass camp.

This new installation features a 70-kilowatt (kW) direct current ground-mounted solar array, complemented by a 144-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery system. The hybrid setup also includes 54 kW inverters, switchgear, and controllers designed to store and manage the solar energy produced, drastically reducing the need for diesel-generated power.

Solvest estimates that the solar installation will cut diesel fuel consumption at the Macpass exploration camp by approximately 24,000 liters per season, equivalent to an over 80% reduction in carbon emissions for powering the camp.

This not only aligns with Fireweed's sustainability goals but also reduces noise from generators and costs associated with diesel power, while the modular nature of the system means it can be redeployed, further enhancing the flexibility and long-term value of the renewable installation.

"Tu-Lidlini Petroleum has been a trusted supplier of fuels for our exploration operations for several seasons, and this collaboration with TLP and Solvest makes financial, operational and environmental sense," said Peter Hemstead interim president and CEO of Fireweed Metals. "Fireweed will continue to look for opportunities to work alongside partners like TLP and DNDC to both enhance our environmental performance and provide economic benefits to the local communities we work with."

In addition to the environmental benefits, the project will likely hold a significant economic impact for the local community as TLP has entered into a five-year lease for the renewable power equipment, marking the first renewable power initiative for the company as they transition toward a more diversified energy portfolio.

"DNDC and TLP are excited to be developing projects in the renewable energy field," said Tu-Lidlini LP General Manager Cynthia Dick. "While allowing renewable energy to complement our existing energy business it also provides us an opportunity to work on reducing our footprint in our territory which we all need to strive towards. The partnership with Solvest and Fireweed Metals has provided an excellent opportunity to make this a reality."

The funding for this initiative included contributions from the Yukon government's Innovative Renewable Energy Initiative and the Northern REACHE program through Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, alongside a 25% investment from Solvest.

"This project builds on our track record of developing meaningful projects in northern Canada that provide opportunities for our clients and partners to realize their visions of sustainable project development and to enhance ESG attributes," said Solvest CEO Ben Power. "This project is important to us as it is in our home territory and is the first project with both DNDC and Fireweed Metals."

The collaborative nature of this project highlights the importance of partnerships in driving renewable energy development in remote areas.

Fireweed Metals Corp.

The new solar and battery system features a 70-kW ground-mounted solar array with 144 kWh battery backup and is estimated to save Fireweed roughly 24,000 liters of diesel fuel annually.

By bringing together private investment from Solvest, support from federal and territorial agencies, and local involvement through DNDC, this initiative demonstrates an effective model for advancing sustainable energy projects in northern Canada, much like the renewable installation at STLLR Gold's Colomac camp, which was aided by local government.

"We appreciate this opportunity to collaboratively develop a creative commercial structure and to co-invest in another power project, adding to our EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) and O&M (operations and maintenance) services to provide a full-service solar and energy storage product," added Power. "We acknowledge the support of the territorial and federal grant agencies that were able to confirm funding support for DNDC in a short time frame."

The renewable power system at Macpass Camp is already fully operational, marking an early milestone in Fireweed's broader strategy of incorporating sustainable technologies across its critical minerals projects.

This installation stands to benefit Macpass, home to one of the largest undeveloped primary-zinc projects globally, by way of reduced operational costs and increased environmental stewardship, crucial factors in advancing the project through future stages of development.

With Solvest, DNDC, and TLP all committed to expanding renewable initiatives, the Macpass installation could serve as a scalable model for integrating clean energy across other remote mineral exploration sites in the Yukon and beyond.