Artemis Gold Inc. awarded Finning, a Caterpillar dealer based in Canada, an order for two fleets for its Blackwater gold project in central British Columbia. The company also signed a $140 million equipment lease facility with Cat Financial Services Ltd. and an agreement with Cat on the supply of a future zero-emission haul fleet.
The agreements gives Artemis certainty of equipment pricing and equipment availability for Blackwater’s planned mining and construction activities, the miner said. “Of equal significance, partnering with Cat provides the project with a pathway toward decarbonization of Blackwater’s haul fleet,” CEO Steven Dean said.
“With access to BC Hydro’s clean power, the transition to an electrified fleet as soon as 2029 provides Artemis a pathway to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the project,” he said. “This is consistent with Artemis’ ESG goals to responsibly develop the Blackwater gold project, identify innovative ways to reduce our impact on the environment while providing generational opportunities in the communities in which we operate.”
With the agreements, Finning locked in equipment pricing for the primary fleet until December 31, 2024. The order includes Cat 793F haul trucks, hydraulic shovels, and product support for a five-year period with an extendible term for up to an additional five years.
Artemis also has the option to place orders for Cat’s zero-emissions haul trucks, currently under development, for shipments beginning in 2029.