Deep Geothermal Technology Reshapes Industrial Power Generation: Quaise Energy Powers Nevada Gold Mines Decarbonization Pilot

The industrial sector is witnessing a significant shift toward clean energy integration. Quaise Energy and Nevada Gold Mines—a joint venture between Barrick Gold and Newmont Corporation—are advancing this transition through an innovative geothermal retrofit project at NGM’s TS Power Plant. This pilot marks a pivotal moment for deep geothermal technology in decarbonizing heavy industries, particularly mining operations that traditionally rely on fossil fuels.

Why Deep Geothermal Matters for Industrial Decarbonization

Nevada Gold Mines has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. The facility already completed construction of a 200-megawatt solar power plant and is transitioning its TS Power Plant to natural gas. However, to achieve ambitious decarbonization targets while maintaining operational reliability, the mining complex is now exploring deep geothermal as a hybrid power source.

This approach addresses a critical gap in the clean energy transition. Unlike conventional renewable sources, deep geothermal can operate continuously as baseload power, making it ideal for energy-intensive industrial processes. The collaboration represents the first commercial retrofit of a fossil fuel power plant to integrate geothermal heat, establishing a blueprint for similar industrial applications globally.

The Technology Behind the Breakthrough

Quaise Energy’s millimeter wave drilling technology is central to making deep geothermal economically viable at scale. Traditional geothermal exploration requires drilling in geographically limited locations, but Quaise’s approach enables wells to be developed anywhere—including next to existing industrial facilities like Nevada Gold Mines.

The power density advantage is substantial: deep geothermal wells can produce approximately 10 times more power than conventional geothermal installations while consuming less than 1% of the land and materials required by other renewable technologies. This efficiency metric is transformative for sites where space and land use are constrained.

Commercial Implications and Market Positioning

This pilot deployment accelerates Quaise Energy’s transition from field trials to full commercial operations. Rather than building new drilling infrastructure, the company’s strategy leverages existing fossil fuel drilling rigs retrofitted with millimeter wave capabilities—an economically pragmatic path to deep geothermal deployment.

For Nevada Gold Mines, hybridizing on-site power generation with geothermal heat creates a cost-competitive alternative to continued fossil fuel reliance. The partnership demonstrates that decarbonization in heavy industrial sectors is achievable without sacrificing economic viability—a key consideration for mining operations operating on thin margins.

What This Means for the Industry

The collaboration underscores deep geothermal’s potential to capture meaningful market share in the global energy transition by 2050. By combining location flexibility, superior power density, and retrofit capabilities, deep geothermal technology addresses two fundamental barriers that have limited geothermal adoption: geographic constraints and economic competitiveness against fossil fuels.

As industrial facilities worldwide face pressure to meet emissions reduction targets, projects like this one will likely inspire similar partnerships between renewable energy innovators and energy-intensive operations seeking sustainable power solutions.